Opelousas, La - The Opelousas Fire Department is investigating a fatal fire that claimed the lives of two boys.
We reached out to the school system about the tragic deaths of these children.
"The St. Landry Parish School System extends heartfelt condolences and thoughts to the family and friends of the students who perished in this morning's tragic house fire. During this time, as the school community processes the tragic news and copes with grief, the district is offering counseling and bereavement support services to our students and staff," Superintendent Patrick Jenkins tells KATC.
According to Fire Chief Charles Mason, it happened at a home in the 1900 block of Jake Drive in Opelousas.
The chief says the fire was reported at 1:22am on Wednesday, January 5. Firefighters arrived on scene at 1:26am and found the home fully engulfed in flames.
Four occupants - two adults and two children - were able to escape the fire, but Mason says the bodies of two male occupants were found in the home.
Chief Mason says the two boys are 11 and 12 years old.
The fire department says that one other child was taken to the hospital with injuries. Those injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The State Fire Marshal sent deputies to help the OFD with the investigation into the cause of the fire.
