2 young children die in RV fire near Columbus

WHITEHALL, Ohio — Two young children died Sunday when an RV parked in the driveway of a home caught fire, reports say.

The identities of the children, a 2-year-old girl and an 11-month-old boy, had not been released by Sunday night. The mother of the two children was taken to a hospital for treatment of burns after trying to save her kids, WBNS Channel 10 reports. The father of the children was at work at the time of the fire.

When fire crews arrived at about 11:40 a.m., the RV was engulfed in flames, police tell WCMH Channel 4. Firefighters were able to quickly put out the fire, but the two victims were found inside the RV.

“We do not suspect anything criminal at this time,” Whitehall Police Chief Mike Crispen said in a news release, according to ABC 6. “This is a tragic situation and the family of these children could use your prayers.”

ABC 6 reports that the state fire marshal’s office, the Franklin County Coroner’s Office, and Whitehall police are investigating.

WBNS reports that the person who owns the home where the RV was parked said the parents were friends and had just parked the RV in the driveway Saturday night. The homeowner tells WBNS the family had planned to park in another location Sunday.

Whitehall is a suburb of Columbus.