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Canton community rallies around survivors after deadly family home fire
A fire in Canton killed Jasmine Henson and four of her children early Wednesday, family members said. The children’s father and another child survived and are recovering as investigators work to determine the cause.
A father and one of his children are recovering after a house fire in Canton, Texas, killed the children’s mother and four siblings early Wednesday, family members said.
The victims were identified by relatives as 27-year-old Jasmine Henson and her children, Robert, Troy, Levi and Avril Mitchell. Henson and her 9-year-old child were taken to a Dallas-area hospital and later died, officials said. Three children had died by the time firefighters reached them inside the home, according to the Van Zandt County Fire Marshal’s Office, which said crews breached an exterior wall to get to the children.
The children’s paternal grandfather, Mike Mitchell, said his son and a fifth grandchild survived and are recovering. He said he and neighbors tried to help, but the house was already engulfed in flames. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.
A growing memorial stood near the home Thursday as investigators examined the scene. Neighbor Leslie Leistikow said she heard commotion and yelling during the fire and described the children as lively, recalling them riding bikes and a four-wheeler.
Some of the children attended Canton schools, the district confirmed. In a statement, Canton ISD said students at Canton Elementary and Canton Intermediate were among those lost and expressed sympathy for the family, classmates, educators and others affected.
Community members are collecting donations for the surviving father and child. A public barbecue fundraiser is planned for Saturday, with proceeds also designated for the family of a deputy sheriff killed Tuesday night.