1 child dead, 5 people taken to hospital following fire in South City

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A 2-year-old has died and five people were taken to the hospital following a fire early Wednesday in South St. Louis City.

The St. Louis Fire Department said the fire took place around 4:30 a.m. at a home on Pennsylvania Avenue near Haven Street. When firefighters arrived, there were five people outside of the house, and they said there was a child trapped inside. Firefighters found heavy fire at the front of the house.

The 2-year-old child trapped inside the house died. Two adults and three children were taken to the hospital due to heavy smoke exposure.

The department said the home did not have any electricity and was being lit and warmed with candles. The department said there may have been a heater using power from a different building. There were no smoke detectors.

The fire chief said there can be seasonal increases in fire incidents that involve people trying to stay warm. He urged people to call the Fire Department for help with smoke detectors and for guidance on how to secure utility assistance as the weather turns colder.