Inferno kills mom and 6 kids despite dad’s desperate attempts to rescue them
A MOM and six kids perished in a devastating house fire on Saturday morning despite the dad's heroic rescue attempts.
Brittany Presley, 33, died, along with her kids Landon, 15; Layne, 13; Lawson, 12; Grayson, six; Malcom, four; and Felicity, one, according to the Hinds County Coroner.
Local reports indicate Jake Presley refused to leave the scene as he attempted to save his loved ones from the flames.
reports the kids' dad tried in vain to rescue his family who all died in the Mississippi inferno.
Mark Jones, Director of Communications with the City of Clinton, told WLBT their father was "worried and concerned."
“He did not want to leave the scene," Jones said. "He was very concerned about his family.”
Jake was rushed to a nearby hospital where he is suffering from smoke inhalation, burns, cuts and bruises in a trauma burn unit.
State Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Ricky Davis begged residents to check their smoke alarms in a statement, reports.
"If your smoke alarms do not work or you are in need of smoke alarms contact your local fire department and they will install some FREE of charge," he said.
FATAL FLAMES
The fire tore through their home in the small town of Clinton at around 12.30am, Clinton Fire Chief Jeff Blackledge told local news outlets.
The cause of the blaze is not known at this time, but the age of the 69-year-old home may be a factor, Jones added.
“One of the things we will look at, what might have prevented or caused the family not to be able to get out,” he told reporters.
“That would be burglar bars. We’ll be looking for smoke alarms and any other smoke detection devices as well as communications to get the emergency call to 911.”
LOVING FAMILY
It reportedly took emergency crews about 45 minutes to quell the flames after four engines and a ladder truck were called out.
Social media posts show the Presleys were a happy family who spent a lot of quality time together before tragedy struck this weekend.
Tributes have poured in as the close knit southern community grapples with their loss.
"This has been a tragic day for our City," said the City of Clinton in an.
"We ask for your prayers for this family and our first responders.
"We ask this community to wrap each other in prayers and kindness as we all grieve together."
Cycling club Velovit Racing also issued a t, saying "our family lost a huge piece today."
It read: "One of our own, Jake Presley, lost 7 family members in a tragic house fire, three of whom were up and coming competitive cyclists.
"Jake’s family was everything to him. Our cycling community is devastated with the loss of this precious family full of young, bright children.
"Hug those you care about, tell them you love them, and pray for our family please."
HEARTBREAKING TRIBUTES
Brittany was a second-grade teacher at Reuben B. Myers Canton School of Arts and Sciences, reports .
Her little son, Malcom was also a Pre-K student at the school, according to the station.
Her school to Brittany and Malcom following the horrific accident today.
"The Canton Public School District is saddened by the tragic loss of one of its teachers and her six children in a house fire in Clinton, MS.
"Mrs. Brittany Presley, a second-grade teacher at Reuben B. Myers Canton School of Arts and Sciences, and her son, a pre-k student at the school, will be sorely missed in our district.
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"Her compassionate heart and giving spirit will forever live on in the hearts of the countless lives she touched."
A page set up for the family's funeral expenses has raised $7,210 of its $100,000 goal.
The Raymond Road Baptist Church has also reportedly established a fund for the Presley family, reports
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