2 Children Killed In Mother's Day Fire

INDIANAPOLIS -- Two girls were killed and their mother and another child were critically injured early Sunday morning in a house fire on Indianapolis' northeast side, officials said.

Officials said six people were in the home in the 3600 block of Hillside Avenue when the blaze began before 5 a.m., 6News' Cheryl Jackson reported.

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Images: Fire Scene

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Family members identified the deceased children as LeNesha Drake, 7, and Camary Drake, 10.

"Camary and LeNesha (were) wonderful kids," said Joycelyn Crawford, the girls' aunt. "They are angels -- church-going kids."

The children's mother, Natasha, and her son, Elijah, 2, were sent to a hospital in critical condition.

The children's grandmother, Jackie Crawford, and her boyfriend escaped unharmed through a downstairs window and watched with horror as firefighters pulled the other victims from the blaze, neighbors said.

"She was crying, just screaming, talking about her babies were in there," said Regina Tipton, who lives across the street.

Neighbors said Jackie Crawford tried to lead firefighters through a door to some steps that led to the bedroom where the children were, but there was too much smoke. The deceased children were pulled from the fire first, Jackson reported.

"He had the first baby just thrown over his shoulder, laid it on the ground and started working on it," Tipton said. "Then, another baby -- they had them side-by-side. Then, the daughter -- it was painful."

Neighbor Daria Moore goes to church with the family.

"When you know them personally, it really, really hits you," Moore said.

Indianapolis fire Capt. Gregg Harris said the blaze was especially sad because it occurred on Mother's Day.

"This is supposed to be Mother's Day," Joycelyn Crawford said. "We are all supposed to be here together. This is not right."

Investigators said the fire was an accident, but they are working to determine an exact cause. An unattended candle might have been to blame, investigators said.

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard visited the scene of the fire Sunday afternoon, comforting family members.

Anyone who wants to help the family can contact Indiana Missionary Baptist Church at 317-542-9577 or the People's Burn Foundation at 317-695-4284.