UPDATE, 2:04 p.m.: Nine-year-old Kimberly Hernandez has died, said Marc Brady, Prince George's County fire department spokesman. The 13-year-old who was in extremely critical condition has been transported to a Baltimore hospital with a hyperbaric chamber. The other two girls, ages 13 and and 4, continue to improve and are in stable condition.
ORIGINAL POST, 10:11 a.m.: Two young sisters are in extremely critical condition after a house fire that sent all six members of a Hyattsville family to local hospitals.
The blaze broke out at a home on the 4700 block of 40th Avenue at about 3:50 a.m. Wednesday, said Marc Bashoor, Prince George's County acting fire chief.
The parents had escaped the fire with two of their daughters, ages 4 and 13, but the 13-year-old’s twin sister and another daughter, age 9, were still in the home when fire crews arrived. Bashoor said firefighters quickly located the girls, who suffered smoke inhalation and burns.
Fire authorities had initially reported that the 13-year-old twins were trapped in the house, but spokesman Marc Brady said Wednesday afternoon that a 13-year-old and 9-year-old were rescued.
The 4-year-old and 13-year-old are in serious condition from smoke inhalation and are hospitalized, Bashoor said. He said the parents were also taken to a hospital for a check-up.
One firefighter was also taken to a medical center for burns to his feet. He has been treated and released, Bashoor said.
The cause and origin of the blaze are under investigation.