VIDEO/ Tragedy strikes Albanian family in the US as home goes up in flames, 3 children killed and 4 others in critical condition

A devastating tragedy has struck an Albanian family in Jacksonville, Florida, where three children lost their lives after a powerful fire engulfed their home in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26.

Four other people, two children and two adults, were taken to hospital in critical condition. The death toll was confirmed by Percy Golden, chief of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.

The fire broke out at around 05:15 at a two-story home on Windergate Drive, near Old St. Augustine Road. When firefighters arrived at the scene, the first floor was engulfed in flames, while the second floor was filled with dense smoke.

Two adults and two children had managed to get out of the home before firefighters arrived. During a search of the building, rescue teams found the other three children unresponsive. The fire was brought under control at around 05:40, but the home was destroyed and two neighboring units were also damaged.

Family relatives confirmed to local media that the family is of Albanian origin. The children’s grandparents, Alia and Artan Sulollari, also arrived at the scene.

Footage published by the media shows Alia Sulollari crying outside her grandchildren’s home as relatives and people close to the family comfort her.

Artan Sulollari was also photographed at the scene as he tried to obtain information about the fate of his family members.

According to local reports, the children who lost their lives were boys, while US authorities have not yet released their ages or identities.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and remains under investigation by US authorities.