Five dead, including four children, in SEK house fire

Five people are dead, including four children, after a devastating house fire Friday morning in Independence, Kansas, that also left five others with life-threatening injuries.

The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office confirmed Friday afternoon that four children and one adult died in the fire. Three other children and two adults were critically injured.

Two of the children who died were students in the Independence school district, according to USD 446 Superintendent Jason McAfee.

Independence Fire-EMS Chief Aaron Cook said the tragedy has deeply affected the community, first responders and medical workers who treated the victims.

“All of us at Independence Fire-EMS are hurting with you,” Cook said, asking residents to keep the victims, their families and first responders in their thoughts and prayers.

Cook also thanked firefighters, law enforcement officers, emergency medical crews and staff at Labette Health Independence ER for responding to what he described as a heartbreaking and difficult scene.

The fire was reported around 6:22 a.m. Friday at a home on South Earl Street.

The cause remains under investigation.

Authorities have not publicly identified those who died.

The city of Independence extended condolences to the families and loved ones affected as the community begins to cope with the loss.