RICHMOND, VA — The Richmond Fire Investigations Unit is working to determine the cause of a fatal house fire that occurred in the city’s Southside this morning.

At approximately 7:02 a.m., crews responded to 4221 Banton Street for the report of a house fire. Once on scene, they found heavy smoke and fire coming from the second story of the structure. Occupants were reportedly still inside, so crews went into rescue mode. At the same time, they worked quickly to extinguish the fire. The fire was marked under control at 7:20 a.m. Due to the location, a crew with Chesterfield Fire & EMS also responded for mutual aid.

When the incident occurred, there were six civilians inside the home – three adult males, one adult female, and two young children. Firefighters pulled the two children from the second story of the home and performed CPR, in an attempt to revive them. The children’s mother had reportedly jumped from a second-story window. She was found conscious and breathing on the ground outside the home. The three adult males – the children’s grandfather, the children’s uncle, and a family friend – were also conscious and breathing, when crews arrived.

All six civilians were transported to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the mother and her two children did not survive. They are identified as:

1. Jasmine Allen, 22 years old
2. Kadene Allen, 4 years old
3. Jadae Copeland, 9 months old

The children’s uncle and the family friend are hospitalized in stable condition. The grandfather was not injured.

While working to rescue the occupants, one RFD firefighter was injured. He was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for burns to his hands.

Fire investigators have determined the fire started in a room on the second floor and that there were no working smoke detectors in the home.