A house fire in Van Zandt County killed five people on Oct. 21, the county fire marshal said. The fire was reported shortly after 12:30 a.m. at a residence near County Roads 4127 and 4128. Firefighters from Canton, South Van Zandt, Ben Wheeler and Wills Point responded.
Fire Marshal Kevin Palmer said three occupants got out on their own, but four children were still inside. Crews breached an exterior wall to reach them and located the four children quickly. Palmer said three people died at the scene. He identified the children who died as two boys, ages 8 and 5, and a 3-year-old girl.
An adult, identified as Jasmine Henson, and a 10-year-old boy later died at the hospital. Henson's longtime partner and another child survived and were reported to be recovering. Canton ISD Superintendent Dr. Brian Nichols said the district was grieving the loss of students from Canton Elementary and Canton Intermediate schools. The fire remains under investigation.