3 young kids killed in house fire; 4-year-old, parents and grandmother seriously injured

JACKSON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT/Gray News) – Authorities say three children, the oldest of whom was 3, were killed in a house fire in Kentucky. A fourth child, the parents and a grandparent were all injured in the fire.

The Kentucky State Police received a request from local authorities to help with a Jackson County house fire just before midnight Tuesday. A preliminary investigation revealed three children, ages 7 months, 2 and 3, were killed in the fire, according to a press release.

A 4-year-old child was taken to the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital before being transferred to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, for further treatment.

Three adults were also taken to UK Chandler Hospital for treatment of injuries from the fire. They have been identified as 23-year-old Tyler Monst, 22-year-old Morgan Johnson and 76-year-old Florence Johnson.

The children’s uncle says Monst and Morgan Johnson are their parents, while Florence Johnson is his mother.

“Christmas is meant for joy and happiness, and obviously, this community is not experiencing that this year,” said Chief Zachary Bryant with the McKee Police Department.

Neighbor Orvel Hisel says he saw multiple first responders head down the road to the scene. There are expected to be numerous fundraisers for the family announced in the coming days.

“It’s just a sad time for our whole community. The loss of children and lives,” Hisel said. “What kind of means can we help that family? There’s a child that’s been flown to Columbus. That’s a ways off. If the family can go there, they are going to want to.”

KSP’s press release said the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the deaths remain under investigation.

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