Mom and 2 children killed in North Texas fire, officials say
The Parker County Emergency Services District (ESD) says a blaze that broke out Monday night killed a mother and her two children.
Fire Chief Nicholas Wells said in a statement shared Tuesday morning that the fire was reported around 9:50 p.m. along Lake Country Drive near Weatherford. Initial reports indicated three people in the engulfed building were unaccounted for at that time.
Wells said crews from ESD 6, who arrived on the scene immediately, began to try to get the flames under control and get access to the structure. Eventually, Wells said firefighters got inside and found two victims at first, finding the third victim shortly thereafter. All three victims were confirmed dead at the scene.
Wells noted that mutual aid assistance was requested from both the Cresson Volunteer Fire Department and the North Hood County Volunteer Fire Department. He also said the Parker County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating the fire, including the cause and origin.
Palo Pinto ESD1 identified the victims as Alexis Renfroe and her two sons, 4-year-old Alekzander Joshua Renfroe and 10-year-old Cody Lock Junior, the wife and children of first responder Herstle Renfroe.
"On the evening of Aug. 17, first responder Herstle Renfroe suffered an unimaginable loss when a structure fire in Parker County claimed the lives of his wife, Alexis Renfroe, and his two sons, 4-year-old Alekzander Joshua Renfroe and 10-year-old Cody Lock Jr.," Palo Pinto ESD1 said on social media. "Herstle has dedicated more than a decade to serving others through fire and emergency medical services, including the past eight years with Sacred Cross EMS, and served as a volunteer firefighter with the Palo Pinto Volunteer Fire Department. For years, Herstle has answered the call when others were facing some of the worst moments of their lives. Today, it's our turn to answer the call for him."
No further information was available as of publication. Wells shared condolences to the victims' loved ones from Parker County ESD 6.