PD: 5 children left alone during overnight house fire, mother in custody

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Four children are hospitalized after after an overnight fire broke out in a McAllen home Friday morning.

McAllen firefighters responded to the house fire on 9th Street and Hackberry Avenue at approximately 1:36 a.m.

Upon arrival, firefighters located four kids and one dog inside the home, according to McAllen Fire Chief Juan Gloria.

Firefighters were unable to locate a parent or a guardian inside the home during the time of the fire.

The age of the children inside the home ranged between 4 to 12 years old, according to Gloria.

The oldest of the five children, a 12-year-old, was able to escape the fire uninjured.

The remaining four children were found inside the home unconscious and carried out of the house.

Two children were transported to a local hospital. The remaining two are in critical condition and have been transported to a hospital in San Antonio.

Gloria says the main concern for the children is lung damage and respiratory issues.

The mother of the children has been placed in custody of McAllen police. Her name was not released.

The McAllen Fire Marshals are still at the scene to investigate the cause of fire.