A father and three of his children died in a fire when the family’s Christmas tree went up in flames, according to news reports.
Juan Moreno, 41, died trying desperately to save the kids, ages 4 to 12, when the blaze began at their Hemet, California, apartment around 1:15 a.m. Friday, authorities told NBC San Diego.
Two of the children, Maria, 12, and Janessa, 4, died at the scene, while the third, 8-year-old Isaac, was rushed to UCI Medical Center but later died as a result of his injuries, the news outlet aid.
Officials said the fire appears to have been sparked by an electrical fire that ignited the tree.
Relatives said Moreno, his wife, Christina, the couple’s baby and their 11-year-old daughter had all made it to safety, but the dad ran back into the blaze for the other three children and never made it out alive, NBC Los Angeles said.
Authorities said the fire also forced about 40 residents to flee the apartment complex.
“This tragedy underscores how quickly a fire can spread,” Hemet Fire Chief Scott Brown said. “Smoke alarms provide that critical early warning so you can get out quickly and are an important part of a home fire escape plan.”