Fire (illustration)
Fire (illustration)iStock

Six children were killed early Thursday morning as a fire ripped through their home in Baltimore, Maryland.

Authorities say the fire began just after midnight while all 10 family members were at home.

Four of the 10 – including the mother and three of her children – managed to escape, thanks to the help of the woman’s 8-year old daughter.

But six other children never made it out of the blaze, including a 9-month old baby boy. Firefighters recovered their bodies from the smoldering ruins on Thursday.

The four survivors all suffered injuries in the fire. And while the 8-year old hero who is credited with helping to save her mother and two younger brothers is in good condition, the other three survivors are in critical condition.

The six victims killed in the fire included an 11-year old girl, a 10-year old girl, twin 3-year old girls, a 2-year old boy, and a 9-month old baby boy.

US Congressional Rep. Elijah Cummings (Dem.), at whose office the children's mother worked, issued the following statement:

I am asking that our entire community pray for my staff member, Katie Malone, and her young family.

Katie has worked as a Special Assistant in my Catonsville office for nearly 11 years where she dutifully serves my constituents in the areas of immigration, postal services, and the military, including Service Academy nominations.

I am grateful to the Baltimore City Fire Department and all those who responded quickly to the devastating fire.

My staff is a family and this unimaginable tragedy is shocking and heartbreaking to us all. I again ask for your prayers.