Authorities in northeast Nebraska say 3 children were killed in a house fire early yesterday morning in the town of Pierce, about 10 miles northwest of Norfolk. The fire has been blamed on a wood-burning stove.
Adam Matzner, chief investigator for the state fire marshal’s office, says the fire broke out just after 3:30 am with 3 people able to get out and the 3 children unable to escape.
Names have not been released, but Matzner says the children – ages 18, 15, and 12 – were pronounced dead at the scene. Two of the 3 people who escaped were unhurt while the other was treated at a hospital and released.
The Pierce Public Schools opened both its elementary and secondary schools on Saturday for students needing extra support, K-6 at the grade school and 7-12 grades at the high school.
A Facebook posting from the district said “other pertinent information” will be emailed to parents at a later time.