ST. LOUIS APARTMENT FIRE
St. Louis firefighter Josh Roth revives a girl, one of four young children pulled from a burning apartment Thursday, in the Lafayette Family apartments. Firefighters entered the unit while it was burning and found one child hiding in a closet and a couple in a play tent. Story on
ST. LOUIS — Four children under the age of 4 believed to have been left alone without adult supervision were pulled from a burning home by St. Louis firefighters Thursday, and fire officials said they’re lucky to be alive.
Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said three of the children were in cardiac arrest after firefighters whisked them from an apartment inside the home. A St. Louis PostDispatch photographer captured an image of a firefighter working to revive a small girl.
One child was initially listed in critical condition, but by mid- afternoon, Chief Jenkerson said all four were stable and breathing on their own. Three were hospitalized for treatment of smoke inhalation. The fire chief added that the children were alive “by the grace of God.”
“This type of incident hits you real hard,” he said
Someone passing by the apartment in the city’s Lafayette Square neighborhood just before 1 p. m. saw smoke and called for help.
Fire Department spokesman Garon Mosby said firefighters entered the home while it was burning and found the children in a playroom.
Officials said it appeared that the children were left home alone. Mr. Mosby said the mother of the children came to the scene as firefighters were there. It wasn’t immediately clear if the mother or any other adult could face charges.