LaFOLLETTE, Tenn. (AP) -- Authorities in LaFollette say a 3-year-old child has died and his mother and another child are in critical condition after a kerosene heater apparently started a house fire.

Fire Chief Gary Byrd says the fire started around 10 a.m. on Friday and was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived.

Byrd says the two other victims, the mother and a 6-month-old girl, were taken about 40 miles away to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in critical condition.

Byrd says investigators believe the fire started when a kerosene heater caught a couch on fire. The house had no electricity and firefighters couldn't find a smoke detector.

Their identities were not available.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.