KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Two children presumed dead in Curlew fire

Two children presumed dead in Curlew fire

CURLEW, Wash. - Two children missing after an early morning apartment fire in Curlew are presumed dead, according to the Ferry County Sheriff's Office.

The fire, which broke out around 1 a.m., destroyed the apartment complex in which 23 units were occupied. The apartment complex was an old school house but was converted to apartments more than 20 years ago.

The two children, ages 2 and 4, were last seen Monday night. As of Tuesday evening, fire investigators had yet to enter what is left of the complex because it was still to hot. Fire officials say the fire burned from the inside out, leaving only the outer walls standing, and the fire was still smoldering into the afternoon hours of Tuesday. It was reported earlier that the residents of the complex had been evacuated.

Other than the missing children, two other people were injured in the blaze.One person was taken to Seattle with severe burns and another was taken to an area hospital to be treated.

A tenant said one woman was on fire when she jumped from a window.

Officials with Ferry County in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms are working to determine a cause for the fire and the process may take several weeks.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene including the Ferry County Sheriff's Office, Curlew Fire Department, Republic Fire Department and the U.S. Border Patrol.

The Red Cross is assisting approximately 30 people who were displaced by fire.

If you would like to donate items to the displaced families, you can drop items off at the Old Fire Hall in downtown Curlew.