12-year-old dies in Phelps County house fire

The Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Doolittle Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating an early morning fire that killed a child and injured three others.

The fire happened around 3:30 a.m. Sunday on East 2nd Street in Newburg. The sheriff’s department said the home was fully involved in flames when they arrived on scene.

Deputies tried to enter the home after learning a 12-year-old boy was still on the second floor, but weren’t able to due to heavy smoke and flames.

Firefighters determined it wasn’t safe for crews to go inside the home. The child was later pronounced dead.

Three minors were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and burns. An adult family member was treated at the scene. A sheriff’s deputy was also taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

The Doolittle Fire Department was assisted by the Rolla Rural Fire Department, Rolla City Fire Department and St. James Fire Department.

The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.