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Mom and 4 kids killed in house fire near Canton
There are heartbreaking new developments to the story about a house fire in Van Zandt County. Officials confirm 27-year-old Jasmine Henson and four of her children died because of the blaze. Henson's husband and one 7-year-old child survived.
CANTON, Texas - The Canton community is grieving after five members of one family were killed in a house fire.
The fire that initially claimed the lives of three children also ended up claiming their mother and sibling.
Canton Fatal Fire
The Henson Family (Courtesy: Brooke Henson)
What we know:
Officials confirmed that 27-year-old Jasmine Henson and her 9-year-old son died at Parkland Hospital on Wednesday.
An 8-year-old boy, a 5-year-old boy, and a 3-year-old girl died in the fire that tore through their home near County Road 4127 and County Road 4128 just after midnight on Wednesday.
Due to the intensity of the fire, firefighters were forced to breach an exterior wall to enter the home. Crews quickly located four children, but three had already died.
Henson’s husband and 7-year-old son made it out on their own with only minor injuries.
What we don't know:
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Mother, 4 children dead after Canton house fire
A 27-year-old mother and her four young children died after an early morning fire trapped the family inside their home on Wednesday.
Terrible Loss
Local perspective:
FOX 4 briefly spoke to Henson’s sister, Brooke, who said the family was not ready to make any public comments. She called the loss "terrible."
A neighbor described witnessing part of the emergency response.
"Where we were sitting, there was an ambulance across the road and a deputy. And that deputy, he sped off. He went that way and then there were three that went back-to-back here," Brenda Haley said. "It was just so horrible."
Several of the children attended Canton Elementary and Canton Intermediate schools. The school district said it is making counselors and support staff available on the campuses for anyone who needs to talk.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, classmates, teachers, and everyone affected by this tragic loss," Canton ISD said in a letter to parents.
What you can do:
Some Canton and Van Zandt County residents are contributing to a meal train to help the surviving family members during this difficult time. They are also making donations via GoFundMe and to the "Henson Family Donation Account" at Broadstreet Bank.
There will be a benefit barbeque this weekend at a home located at 450 West Kansas Street in Van, Texas. The owner, who used to own a restaurant in the area, said the fundraiser will last as long as there is food to serve.
The Source: The information in this story comes from the Van Zandt County Peace Officer's Association, Canton ISD, Dallas County Medical Examiner's Office, and conversations with Jasmine Henson's sister and neighbors.