WASHINGTON PARK, Ill. - Fire destroyed a southwestern Illinois home and injured two children as police were arresting the mother of one of the children at a nearby address.

Officers noticed flames, released the woman and called the fire department.

Assistant Police Chief Edgar Ellis says officers were called Thursday to a Washington Park address by someone reporting harassment. Police arrested Ikeshia Ware on a warrant from St. Clair County.

Officers then noticed a nearby home in flames. They called firefighters and went to see if they could help. They released Ware when they found out she had a child in the burning home.

Firefighters found two 4-year-old children in a stairwell. A hospital spokeswoman says Janyla Parker and Armel Thompson are in critical condition Friday.

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Information from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, http://www.stltoday.com

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