2 adults & 2 children killed in Garland house fire identified

Fire officials in Garland are looking into what caused a fire that claimed the lives of two children and two adults early Saturday morning.

Nine people were inside the home, celebrating Thanksgiving when the fire broke out. 

FOX 4 spoke with a neighbor who caught a glimpse of the home burning on Williams Drive, just after 1 a.m. Saturday.

“It was getting real big real fast. I t was spreading real fast too.” Said Anthony Cruz.

Cruz says he saw the glow of the fire, then went outside and could hear people trying to escape. He says some made it out, and were trying to rescue the others.

The Garland fire marshal says four people, two under the age of 6, died in the fire, which started on an enclosed patio.

“We were knocking on the window. We didn't know if they were asleep or something.” Said Cruz.

The victims have been identified as Lorenzo Castillo, his wife Ana, her 5-year-old daughter and their 2-year-old son. Firefighters say they live in Bridgeport, but were sleeping in the back bedroom of the house while staying with the homeowner, Lorenzo's cousin, for Thanksgiving weekend.

Cruz says they were able to save Lorenzo and Ana's third child who is now without parents or siblings. The fire marshal says the family had been using a portable propane heater and fire pit in that enclosed patio with a wooden deck. There was also a TV, sound equipment and refrigerator on the patio.

The fire marshal says the family is not sure if the heater had been turned off. Neighbors learned the news, and recall the looks on the faces of the homeowner and his wife.

“They were just broken hearted. The woman looked like she was going crazy. She didn't think it was true. It was just unbelievable that it happened. Her husband was just so upset.” Said Sylvia Gonzales.

The fire remains under investigation, but it is believed to be an accident. The homeowner told firefighters he was alerted to the fire after noticing a popping noise that sounded like fireworks. 

Firefighters say the house had one smoke detector, but it’s unknown whether it was working.