2 children die in suburban Columbia fire

IRMO, S.C. (AP) — Authorities continue to investigate a fire that killed two children in their suburban Columbia apartment.

Fire officials said a man asleep in an upstairs bedroom escaped from the blaze in Irmo around 10 a.m. Wednesday, but could not get back inside to save a 5-year-old boy and an 18-month-old girl.

Firefighters found the children on the second floor of the apartment, but they died at the hospital.

The coroner’s office identified the victims as Jarmaion Martin and his little sister Reghin Steven.

Two apartments were damaged in the blaze.