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2 Children Dead, 3 Injured In Marshall-Shadeland Fire

NORTH SIDE (KDKA) – A massive fire in the city's Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood has left two children dead and three other people injured.

According to officials at the scene, the fire broke out in a row house in the 2400 block of Sorrell Street just after 10 a.m.

Dylan Taylor, 7, and Nicholas Taylor, 12, were pronounced dead at the scene. They had been trapped on the third floor of the home.

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Left: Nicholas Taylor. Right: Dylan Taylor. (Photos Courtesy: Family)

Their mother, 38-year-old Jennifer Taylor, and 6-year-old Joshua Taylor were taken to the UPMC Mercy Hospital in critical condition. Police say they jumped from a second-floor window.

The third person injured is a 16-year-old, who was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Meanwhile, a firefighter was treated for heat-related injuries.

Witnesses at the scene said they tried to enter the building to rescue the children, but were forced out by the smoke and other complications.

"By the time I got in there, within five seconds, everything went completely black, I couldn't even see my hands in front of me. I didn't have no sense of direction. I didn't know which way to go. Before I could make it any further, I saw a cop come in behind me and they escorted me out," another man said.

"The wires started catching on fire and the electricity started sparking, so we had to run," said witness Coley Davis.

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Jennifer Taylor, 38, with Nicholas, 12, and Josh, 6. (Photo Courtesy: Family)

Other witnesses who tried to help those inside said they heard children coughing.

A man who was doing roof work nearby ran to try and help

"Anything you have to do to get them out," said Antonio Gatto. "I mean if they were my kids... what would you do if they were your kids?"

Friends and family say this family had just suffered the loss of a grandmother this past weekend.

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