Fatal Fire in Gloucester City

A multialarm fire early Thursday killed one person, while three others -- including two young children -- were seriously injured.

Fire department officials said the fire began around 2:00 a.m. and sent flames and heavy smoke shooting through the multistory home.

Rescuers and firefighters tried to enter the home, but they were forced back due to the excessive heat, officials said.

The identity of the person killed has not yet been released. The two children, ages two months and seven months, and another person -- believed by officials to be their mother or grandmother -- suffered burns and smoke inhalations and were hospitalized in critical condition.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, officials said.

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