2 children die in suburban Columbia fire

IRMO, S.C. (AP) — Authorities say two children have died in a fire in their suburban Columbia apartment.

Fire officials said a man 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.

Authorities say firefighters found the children on the second floor of the apartment, but they died at the hospital.

The coroner’s office is trying to determine how the children died and the cause of the fire is also under investigation.

Authorities say two apartments were damaged in the blaze.