Cabin fire kills 3 children in B.C.

A familyvacationin British Columbiahas ended in tragedy as three childrendied in acabinfire on the shores of Shuswap Lake north of Salmon Arm early Thursday.

Reports indicate the three victims were a 14-year-old male, his 10-year-old sister and a 14-year-old female cousin, although the family hasn't publicly confirmed the information.

The children had asked to spend the night in the cabin at the back of the property, which is in the community of Eagle Bay, while their parents slept in the main house off the lake, said Jack Blair, fire services co-ordinator for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.

Firefighters were called at about 2 a.m.PT, but the flames were alreadytoo intense at that time and spread quickly to nearby trees and brush, Blair said.

"It was very apparent to anyone that would have been on scene that there would be no possible way for anyone to survive that fire," Blair said.

Neighbour Darlene Clough said sherushed outside after her nephew banged on her door to alert her about the fire.

"There were huge flames which appeared to be right close to our place that were about 150 to 200 feet high," Clough said.

She said her husband joined volunteer firefighters to battle the blaze.

One of the parents suffered minor injuries while trying to rescue the children, said police.

RCMP and officials from the provincial coroner's office were investigating at the scene on Thursday. Officials don't know how the fire started.