Two young children died in a house fire northwest of Neillsville last night. One-year-old Lattie Frenn and 3-year-old Qunita Frenn were trapped in an upstairs bedroom of their Town of Seif home. Four adult family members were transported with burns and smoke inhalation due their initial attempts to rescue the children. One Neillsville firefighter was transported by ambulance with smoke inhalation. Their conditions are not known. Three other children who resided at the house, ages 5, 7 and 10, were not injured. The fire was reported at 11:22 p.m. Sunday night. By the time authorities arrived ten minutes later, flames were already shooting out of an upstairs window. Deputies entered the home and attempted to gain entry to the bedroom, but it was completely engulfed in flames.
Pattie Kelnhofer with the American Red Cross says they are helping surviving family members. The Greenwood School District is planning a collection to help the family. The fire is under investigation by State Fire Marshal, Neillsville Fire Department, and the Clark County Sheriff's Department. It should be noted it is standard procedure to investigate fatal fires, and doesn't necessarily mean it was suspicious in nature.