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ABC Action News
Reprinted with Permission

ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - Pasco County Sheriff's deputies say two children were killed late Tuesday when fire broke out at a mobile home in Zephyrhills.


Four children were in the home when at the time. Two were able to get out, but a 10-year-old boy and his 9-year-old sister died in the fire.

Officials say the two youngsters were in wheelchairs and mental disabilities may have hindered their ability to escape. Neighbors said the two have cerebral palsy.

After the fire started, bystanders tried to get into the burning home to help the children. Neighbor Mike Fall said he used a saw to try to cut away at the trailer.

"I tried to cut a hole in the wall, but it was too late," said Fall. "Flames were coming out of the house. Jimmy, the father, was trying to get in."

But the fire was too intense, and no one was able to enter the structure. "It was a bad scene. Something I'll never get over," said Fall.

Some who tried to get in were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burns.

Investigators are trying to determine how the fire started, and where the guardians were at the time.

ABC Action News has a crew on the scene, check back with abcactionnews.com as the story develops.

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