Funeral services have been held in Chicago for three children killed in a fire sparked by a boy playing with a lighter in bed.
CHICAGO (AP) — Funeral services have been held in Chicago for three children killed in a fire sparked by a boy playing with a lighter in bed.
Three small white caskets at the front of the church Saturday held the bodies of 9-year-old Stacey Austin, Jr., 4-year-old Joseph Austin and 2-year-old Dashiyah Austin.
Stacey and Joseph wore dark suits and matching blue baseball caps. Dashiyah was in a pink ruffled dress.
The three died of smoke inhalation on April 7 after the fast-moving fire at their home.
Fire officials have said the blaze started after Joseph was playing with a lighter in bed.
The children’s parents and seven siblings safely escaped.
The parents had tried unsuccessfully to douse the flames with water. In a statement, they’ve encouraged families to buy fire extinguishers.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
