NEED TO KNOW

Four children under the age of 10 died in a North Carolina house fire on Aug. 30

Their 12-year-old sister safely escaped with a friend of the same age

"Please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we walk through this unimaginable loss," their father, Patrick Ellis, reportedly said

A 12-year-old girl and her friend escaped a tragic North Carolina house fire that took the lives of her four younger sisters.

Columbus County Sheriff's Department units responded to a reported structure fire with entrapments at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 30, the department said in a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

A female caller told a dispatcher that her residence was on fire and that four children remained inside.

“When the first deputy arrived on scene nine minutes aft

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