2 young children killed in Cle Elum house fire, mother injured

CLE ELUM, Wash. -- Two children were killed and their mother was injured in a house fire Friday in Cle Elum, Kittitas County Fire District No. 7 said.

The district said a fire erupted in the house on Third Street shortly after noon.

"Despite firefighter/police officer efforts,we have lost two children in the house fire on 3rd Street," the district tweeted Friday night. "Our deepest sympathies go out to the family.

"Upon arrival, police officers and paramedics attempted to enter the home but were overcome by smoke. Cause of the fire is under investigation."

A spokesman for the fire district said both children were under 5 years of age. The mother, who was at home at the time, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening burns. One media report said the mother ran back into the burning house to try to rescue her children.