Mother, 3 kids found dead following Philly fire

PHILADELPHIA – A fast-moving fire has claimed the lives of a mother and three children in Philadelphia.

Fire officials say the woman and children ranging in age from 9 to 14 were found dead by firefighters following the blaze early Thursday morning.

Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers says the home was fully engulfed by flames when firefighters arrived at the scene around 1:30 a.m. Once they were able to get inside, they discovered the victims in upstairs bedrooms.

Neighbors said they heard screams coming from the home, but couldn't approach the burning structure.

Ayers says the home had no working smoke detectors. At least three neighboring homes were also damaged.

A fire marshal will investigate the cause of the blaze.

(This version CORRECTS spelling of 'smoke' in second to last paragraph.)