Three died, including two students, in a tragic house fire

GREENWOOD, Ark. (AP) — A mother and her 2 children have died after a fatal house fire on Wednesday night.

The Greenwood Police Department says in a news release that the fire broke out shortly after midnight in the 1000 block of East Hickory Street in Greenwood.

The fire claimed the lives of 18-year-old Daniel Isaiah Arrington, 5-year-old Vivian Medrano and their mother, 46-year-old Wendy Medrano. Another person who was in the house was critically injured and is currently hospitalized.

The police department says firefighters responded to several unrelated fires that day. The cause of the fire is still unknown; however, the investigation is being led by the Greenwood Police Department along with fire investigators.

The bodies have been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for identification.

The Greenwood School District released a statement saying:

We are devastated to share the tragic news of a house fire in the Greenwood community early this morning that claimed the lives of two beloved Greenwood students.

In response to this devastating loss, Greenwood Public Schools has made sure counselors are available on each campus to support our Bulldog family during this difficult time.

To respect the privacy of those affected, we will not release names at this time. We ask that you please keep the families, Greenwood Fire Department, Police, First Responders, school administrators, students and staff in your thoughts and prayers.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the families involved, as well as to our dedicated staff and students as we navigate this grief together.