Three people killed in late-night Parker County house fire, officials say

PARKER COUNTY, Texas - Three people were killed in a fire late Monday evening in Parker County, emergency officials said.

Parker County fire kills mother, 2 children

What we know:

Crews with Parker County Emergency Services District 6 responded shortly before 10 p.m. to a reported structure fire on Lake Country Drive. Initial calls indicated the home was engulfed in flames and three residents were missing.

Neighbors rush to help family trapped in fire

By the time neighbor Cheyenne Ziegler stepped outside, she said the night sky was already glowing. She could see the flames over the trees and smell the smoke.

A camper trailer being used as a home was engulfed in flames as neighbors rushed to help.

"My husband went down there. He was trying to get into the house to help people and get them out of there, and it was just so engulfed," Ziegler said.

Knowing people were still in the home, neighbors tried to get inside, but Ziegler said the fire was too intense. She also said she heard what sounded like propane tanks exploding.

Local perspective:

Another neighbor described the desperation to help after learning children were inside.

"Once we found out there were kids, we were trying to do everything we could, but by the time we all knew about it, it was too late," the neighbor said.

Parker County fire officials said crews were told three people were unaccounted for.

Arriving firefighters launched an offensive attack to suppress the heavy fire and enter the building. During an interior search of the residence, firefighters found two victims, followed shortly by a third. All three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.

Family identifies mother and 2 children killed

Their family identified the victims as a mother, Alexis, and her two sons, 8-year-old Cody Jr. and 2-year-old Alexander.

What they're saying:

Ziegler said it was difficult knowing people, including children, were trapped inside.

"I'm standing here watching this fire as somebody's in there, you know, losing their life, and I don't even know them, but it's hard. And children too," she said.

Ziegler said learning children died in the fire was especially difficult for her as a mother.

"That's even more because I'm a mother, and I don't know how I would take it if something like that happened to my kids," she said.

Ziegler said she has not stopped thinking about Hestle Renfroe, the husband and father who lost his wife and two children. Renfroe has spent the last eight years helping others during emergencies as an EMT with Sacred Cross Emergency Services and was at work the night of the fire.

Ziegler offered a message of support to Renfroe.

"To the father and the husband, if you need anything, you can run over here. You knock on my door. You walk in. I got you," she said.

Parker County Fire Marshal investigating cause of fatal fire

What we don't know:

The Parker County Fire Marshal's Office is leading the investigation into the origin and cause of the blaze. No additional information regarding the circumstances of the fire or the identities of the deceased was immediately available.

What's next:

Crews from the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department and North Hood County Volunteer Fire Department provided mutual aid during the response.

Sacred Cross EMS and Palo Pinto County ESD 1 are working to establish a benevolent fund for Renfroe.

Parker CountyTexasCrime and Public Safety