A house fire in Canton broke out shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Oct. 21 at a home near County Roads 4127 and 4128, according to Van Zandt County Fire Marshal Kevin Palmer. Firefighters from Canton, South Van Zandt, Ben Wheeler and Wills Point responded to reports of people trapped inside.
Palmer said three occupants got out on their own, but four children were still inside. Crews broke through an exterior wall to get in and found the four children. Palmer said three of the victims had died in the fire. Two boys, ages 8 and 5, and a 3-year-old girl were among them. Other victims were taken to hospitals, where one adult and one 10-year-old boy were listed in critical condition.
The adult and the 10-year-old later died from their injuries, according to the fire marshal's office. The victims were identified as Jasmine Henson and four of her children. Henson's long-time partner and another child survived and were reported to be recovering.