Officials said Thursday a Fresno mother has been arrested after her three young children were critically injured in a fire while home alone.
Video footage released by the local fire department showed plumes of smoke billowing from a burning Fresno home Sunday morning as firefighters went inside looking for three children who lived there.
After making their way through a nearly pitch-black home, the firefighters could be seen emerging with three little children who appeared to be unconscious.
The kids, ages 1, 3 and 4, were all critically injured, Fresno Fire Department spokesman Pete Martinez said.
All three had minor burns but were badly injured due to smoke inhalation. As of Thursday, they were in stable but critical condition.
The children’s mother was not at home during the incident and was believed to be at a store.
The unidentified woman was arrested Wednesday on child cruelty charges, Martinez said.
A preliminary investigation into the cause of the fire determined it was an accidental electrical fire that possibly began near at entertainment center in the home’s living room, he added.
Footage released by firefighters had been heavily edits, and additional footage may be used in a criminal investigation against the mother, Martinez said.
The Fresno Police Department could not immediately be reached for comment.