3 children killed in day-care fire; 4 others injured

Jessica Tata, 22, is listed as the operator of the day care facility, Jackie’s Child Care, at 2810 Crest Park Lane. A state child care licensing official was on the scene speaking with Tata.

An initial investigation indicates that Tata was the only adult overseeing the children when the fire broke out, Houston Fire Department (HFD) Chief Rick Flanagan said.

According to state child care rules, Tata should not have been caring for more than six children older than 18 months of age.

McAndrews, a witness, said Tata stated she went to the bathroom at the facility and when she came out the kitchen was on fire.

Sandy Sawyer, another witness who has lived in the neighborhood for five years, said she saw firefighters rushing children to ambulances.

"I saw them running down the street holding babies, running, because there wasn’t enough room for the emergency vehicles to get through," Sawyer said.

Five of the children were trapped inside the facility and were rescued by Houston firefighters, while the other two children were found outside the home. Some of the seven children had suffered burns, while others suffered smoke inhalation.

ORIGINAL SOURCE