CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Four people, including three children, are dead and three others are critically injured after a three-alarm house fire in North Chesterfield early Friday morning, according to fire officials.
A neighbor called 911 just after 12:10 a.m. to report a fire at a house in the 9900 block of Glass Road, according to Chesterfield County fire officials. The home is in the Mayfair Estates subdivision near the intersection of Courthouse and Hull Street roads.
When firefighters arrived, they were told multiple people were trapped inside the two-story home and went into rescue mode, according to Chesterfield Fire and EMS Chief Loy Senter.
"Firefighters immediately began searches of the first floor assisted by the second and third arriving engine companies while at the same time an aggressive attack on the main body of fire was initiated," Senter said.
A second and third alarm were called due to the fact of the amount of people trapped inside.
Senter said crews saw heavy fire on the first floor in the front of the home with "high heat and heavy smoke conditions throughout the first and second floors."
"Multiple other victims were located on the second floor and were removed by firefighters using ladders at the rear of the residence," Senter said.
Witnesses said they saw firefighters perform CPR on one individual, as well as pull a boy from the burning home.
Senter said eight people were taken to area hospitals.
"Sadly, in addition to one fatality at the incident scene, another three victims have been pronounced dead at the hospital, bringing the total deaths in this incident to four including one adult and three children," Senter said.
Additionally, three victims remain hospitalized in critical condition, according to Senter.
Officials have not released the ages of the victims.
"We believe we're dealing with the blended family here," Senter explained. "And so we're trying to make sure that we've got the right person, the age, and a lot more has to be done as part of the investigation to be able to release that information."
The cause of the fire, which is believed to have started in a bedroom, remains under investigation.
Officials said they do not suspect foul play.
"Because it is an active investigation there will be some information that is known but cannot be released at this time," Senter said. "Our hearts go out to the families that have been impacted so deeply by this tragedy."
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can email newstips@wtvr.com to send a tip.
