A mother died with her six children when the fire destroyed her home in Mississippi in the early hours of Saturday.
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The tragedy occurred in Clinton, a suburb of about 26,500 inhabitants, on the outskirts of the city of Jackson, capital of the state.
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The father was the only survivor. City spokesman Mark Jones told the AP agency that the man tried to rescue his family. He was hospitalized because he suffered burns, cuts, bruises and smoke inhalation injuries.
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“I wanted to stay in the place,” Jones said.
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The Hinds County coroner identified the victims as Brittney Presley, 33, Landon Brookshire, 15, Lane Presley, 13, Lawson Presley, 12, Grayson Presley, 6, Malcom Presley, 4, and Felicity Presley, one year old, reported the Mississippi Clarion Ledger.
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The fire started at about 12:30 am. and, according to the local media, firefighters spent 45 minutes trying to quell the flames with four trucks. The wooden house was destroyed. Remains of clothes, toys and furniture were scattered throughout the garden.
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According to the AP report, the windows of the house had security bars, but it is unknown if that affected the escape of the family. Firefighters are investigating the fire and for now do not suspect that it was intentional.
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Jones, the Clinton spokesman, said they don’t know if the house, built in 1951, had fire detectors.
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Sometimes, the father and his older children helped the neighbors with their gardens, said Jones, who in statements to Clarion Ledger said they were “the kindest people” he knew.
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