2 children die in Clovis house fire

CLOVIS, N.M. — Two young children died in a house fire Wednesday morning.

First responders were called to the 200 block of Axtell Street about 9:30 a.m. for reports of smoke coming from a home in the area, The Eastern New Mexico News first reported.

According to the Clovis Police Department in an update issued Wednesday evening, police and fire services were dispatched to the area at about 9:35 a.m. for a report of a structure fire, and officers from the Clovis Police Department and Curry County Sheriff’s Office first arrived at the residence and reported flames coming from the bottom floor of the residence.

The News had reported an adult was standing on the roof of the house when firefighters and police arrived. First responders then learned of three children inside the home in a second-floor room.

News reporters observed a civilian carrying a child wrapped in a blanket away from the home and reported police had to hold a woman at the scene back as she fought to enter the home.

"Officers attempted getting into the residence but due to the fire and heavy smoke, the officers were unable to get past the front entrance into the home," a news release states. The Clovis Fire Department arrived at the scene and immediately began fighting the fire, police said.

Clovis police confirmed a 1-year-old and 2-year-old child were found dead inside the home. They had not been identified by early Thursday as the investigation continues.

"The fire was extinguished within a matter of minutes but sadly two young children lost their lives as a result of the fire," the release says. "We want to express our most sincere condolences to the family of these two children as the loss of innocent lives is devastating not only to the family but also to the community. We ask you to keep the family and those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts."

Clovis police said the incident is being investigated by joint efforts of the 9th Judicial Major Crimes Unit, the Clovis Police Department, and the State Fire Marshal's Office.

Anyone who has any information about the fire is asked to call the Clovis Police Department at 575-769-1921, or anonymous reports can be given using the Clovis Police Department Tip411 and through the Curry County Crime Stoppers at 575-763-7000.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: 2 children die in Clovis house fire