Parents perish in Hughes Springs fire
HUGHES SPRINGS, TX (KLTV) - The children got out safely, but an early morning fire took the lives of two East Texas parents. Hughes Springs fire crews were called out around 1:30 Sunday morning to house fire in the 600 block of Tower Street.
As crews arrived, firefighters say the home on Tower Street was well involved. "The fire was fully involved in the back bedroom. While in route I was advised that people may be trapped," says Hughes Springs fire chief Jay Cates.
Forty-year-old Al Rushing and his wife 29-year-old Shanice lived there with their two daughters, ages 10 and 6.
And it was the girls who knew something was wrong.
"They heard their mother crying. They heard her saying her eyes were burning," the chief says.
Holding out hope, firefighters tried a search and rescue, but it was too late.
"We found both occupants; mother and father, in the back bedroom on the floor where they perished," Cates says.
Officials say that it was actually the 10-year-old girl who got her sister out alive.
"They had escaped through the front bedroom window. And they were advising us they felt their parents were still in the house. The 10-year-old was able to get her 6-year-old little sister dressed and out the front window. She was able to save her sister's life," says Cates.
The house was a total loss, and the kids lost everything they had. Cates says a terrible tragedy for the kids and the community.
"We're grateful that the children made it, it's still sad the parents didn't make it," he says.
Cates is also the city fire marshal and say at this point they don't know exactly what caused the fire.
It remains under investigation.The daughters are unharmed, and being cared for by family members.
Copyright 2016 KLTV. All rights reserved.
