Muncie fire kills boy, 3; mother, 2 others escape

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - Authorities say a 3-year-old Muncie boy has died in a house fire that sent flames shooting 30 feet into the air.

They say the fire Thursday killed 3-year-old Clayton Carnes. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Muncie Fire Chief Eddie Bell says the boy’s mother, Katheryn Wooten, her 14-month-old child and a boyfriend escaped the fire. They went to a hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Neighbor Tracy Hardy told WTHR-TV that Wooten was screaming her child was inside and was held back by a policeman as she approached the burning home.

The Muncie Fire and Police Departments, the Delaware County coroner and the state fire marshal’s office are investigating.