4 children die in La. house fire

Published 12:00 am Thursday, May 13, 2010

RAGLEY, La. (AP) — Four children were killed in a house fire in Beauregard Parish.

State Fire Marshal H. ‘‘Butch’’ Browning said Wednesday that a woman and her 3-year-old son, who was sleeping with her, escaped the blaze late Tuesday, but her four other children died from smoke inhalation.

Browning said the woman tried to rescue her children, who were in the rear of the home. She suffered burns and smoke inhalation and was listed in stable condition at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Her name and the name of the surviving child was not released.

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The victims — all girls — were identified as 11-year-old twins Kamryn and Keiley Lebleu, 8-year-old Kassandra LeBleu and 1-year-old Adrinne LeBleau. All four sisters were pronounced dead at area hospitals.

Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s deputies said the children’s father was working in Texas at the time of the fire.

Browning said an extensive investigation is under way to determine what started the blaze. Smoke detectors were in the home, but he said it has not been determined whether they were working.

‘‘It has been over a year since we have had four or more Louisianans die in a single fire,’’ Browning said. ‘‘I am so upset to see this loss to such innocent and helpless children. We must all act now to ensure that our home is safe, that we have working smoke detectors, practice home escape plans and everyone in your home knows what to do.’’