Grandmother And Her 3 Children Burnt To Death On Boxing Day

Three boys who spent the night with their grandmother so she wouldn't be alone on Christmas died with her Friday morning as fire engulfed her home in Washington. The badly burned bodies were turned over to the Montgomery County coroner's office for autopsies and confirmation. They were tentatively identified as 60-year-old Terry Harris and three brothers: 14-year-old Kenyon, 11-year-old Broderick and 9-year-old Braylon Harris. Terry Harris lived alone in the single-story, ranch-style house that was destroyed by the fire reported shortly after 4 a.m. The boys lived two houses down with their parents.

The three boys adored their grandmother and didn't want her to be by herself on Christmas night thus, they decided to spend the night there.

When fire fighters got into the house, the grandmother's body was found near the front door, with the children near, so authorities concluded she was trying to help them get out. Firefighters sifting through the smoldering debris found the bodies hours after the blaze erupted because the site was too unstable and hot before then. State investigators are still trying to determine what caused the blaze.

Officials said counselors were on hand Friday afternoon for family, friends and the children's classmates at Washington Court House city schools' Liberty Hall, and counseling services will be available through the holiday break.