Fire Kills 7 Staying in Garage

A pre-dawn fire today killed seven people, including five children, who were staying in a ramshackle garage while their house was being remodeled.

Marshall Police Chief Chuck Williams said the victims were found in a section of the garage that was equipped with a small electric stove. Glen Haley, a neighbor who notified police of an explosion in the garage about 5 a.m., said he heard the victims’ screams but he and his wife were unable to help. The victims were members of two families, he said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.