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Two children killed in Wynne, Arkansas fire

By Nick Kenney - bio | email | Twitter | Facebook

WYNNE, AR (WMC-TV) - Firefighters and police continued their investigation Monday into a weekend fire in a house trailer that killed two children, ages two and three.

The tragedy rocked the small Arkansas town, especially neighbors just off Union Avenue, where the fire occurred.  Next door to the trailer that burned, 15-year-old Zach Williams saw only the beginning of the fire before his dad sent him home, away from the worst of it.

From her home across the street, 82-year-old Fannie Sue Lindley said the entire town was broken to bits.

"I know I am," she said. "I'm just glad I wasn't here; that I had to just face them bringing them out, because at my age, you can't stand a lot."

Wynne Police Chief Jeff Sanders said the fire started in the trailer's bathroom.  Police say the children's mother, Ashley Beashear, escaped the blaze along with her boyfriend, Brett Miller.

"We don't look for charges to be filed," he said. "I think it's going to be a space heater that was in the bathroom that's going to be the cause of it."

Authorities said Caitlyn Clements, 2, and Cameron Clements, 3, were found dead in the home's bathroom after firefighters arrived at the home.

"Two small child, just got back from trick or treating, just didn't get their life started yet," he said.

Firefighters say homeowners should use caution when using space heaters.

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