Investigators identify woman, three children killed in fire

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March 13, 2012|By Christina Karaoli Taylor | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(SCOTT CITY, Kan.) — (AP) - Authorities have identified a Scott City woman and three children who died in a house fire in the western Kansas town.

The fire on Saturday killed 28-year-old Jackie Ann Coberly and her son, 4-year-old Brandon Carter. Eight-year-old Terra Renee Murphy and 6-year-old Cassie Linn Murphy also died. They were the daughters of Coberly's boyfriend.

Scott City Police Chief Chris Jurgens said Monday the fire is believed to be accidental but an investigation is continuing.

The Garden City Telegram reports that the fire started Saturday morning near a heater in the laundry room of a home the family was renting.

Officials said Coberly reported the fire but wasn't able to get out of the house because she was disabled.

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People in the small town of Scott City, in Western Kansas, are grieving the loss of a mother and three children.

They died in a house fire at a two-bedroom home Saturday.

"I didn't believe it," says Yvonne Garcia who lost her best friend. "I drove by the house because I thought they were pulling my leg."

Scott City police say the fire started near a radiator in the laundry room. They haven't released the woman's name but they say she was overcome by smoke. Her four-year-old son and her boyfriend's six and eight-year-old daughters also died.

"They were very light spirited and fun, a lot of energy," says the girls' mother, Brenda Murphy. "They loved their daddy and mommy, they loved meeting everybody."

The girls' father now has memories of spending time with his children. "They'll be in our hearts forever," says Jeff Murphy. "We're so blessed to have had our time with our children."

Yellow tape surrounds the home Monday. In the yard, flowers symbolize the community's grief.

"Those kids were like mine," Garcia recounts. "I loved them, they were part of me too just like she was."

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