Five Children Killed in Texas Mobile Home Fire

An Edna, Texas, family was ripped apart as five children were killed in an overnight fire in their mobile home. Three other members of the family managed to escape the early-morning blaze.

Jackson County Sheriff Andy Lauderback (R) confirmed the deaths of the children according to an article in the Victoria Advocate. The five children who died were Noah Ortiz, a sophomore in high school, Nicholas Ortiz, Julia Ortiz, Ariana Hernandez and Liliana Hernandez according to a family spokesman Rico Hernandez. Johnny Hernandez, Jr., 30, saved the children’s mother, Annabel Ortiz, 32, and their two year old son, Johnny Hernandez III, nicknamed 3J.

Rico Hernandez told the Advocate the family was “taking it really hard. It’s probably one of the biggest tragedies in Edna.” Edna is located about 90 miles southwest of Houston along U.S. Highway 59.

An unidentified neighbor told the Advocate in a video interview, “These are kids. The big one was a football player for Edna, a straight A student. The best kid that you could know.”

Firefighters were called to the scene about about 5 am. When they arrived, the two or three bedroom mobile home was fully engulfed in flames.

Mr. Hernandez’ cell phone was found outside the home. His brother, Rico, said he had taken pictures of the kids Monday night.

While the investigation of the fire is underway, Rico Hernandez said it was an old trailer. He said he suspected an electrical fire or perhaps a heater. “I’m guessing it was cold last night so something with the heater,” he said.

The fire also consumed the family’s Chevrolet Suburban which was parked next to the mobile home.

The fire which claimed the lives of five of their six children came just two days before Thanksgiving.

Photo Credit: KHOU Air 11

Bob Price is a senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas and a member of the original Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.