Baby dies in house fire

A 19-month-old child, Mahogany Anderson, was killed in a house fire Thursday on CR3326, just off of CR3308 and U.S. Highway 175, approximately three miles west of Jacksonville. The fire was reported about 1:30 p.m. and fire units from Jacksonville, Earles Chapel, Lake Palestine East and New Summerfield responded to the call.

The child was staying with relatives while her parents were working, said Sheriff James Campbell. Relatives reported that the child was asleep in a front bedroom while they were in the front yard. They heard a noise and turned to see the front of the house on fire. They tried to get into the house to rescue the child but were turned away by fire and smoke.

The child was located in the front part of the house by firemen at approximately 3:30 p.m. Justice of the Peace James Morris, Precinct 3, held the inquest and the victim's body was sent to Southwest Forensic Lab in Dallas for the autopsy.

The state fire marshal was scheduled to arrive Friday morning to assist detectives from the Cherokee County Sheriff 's Office with the investigation.