Jasmine Henson lived with her kids in a mobile home out near the end of County Road 4127 in Canton, Texas. Around half past midnight on Wednesday the place caught fire. Smoke and flames moved fast through the rooms.
Firefighters from several departments got the call about people trapped. When they pulled up, three folks had already gotten out on their own. Four children were still inside. The fire burned so hard the crews had to cut through an outside wall to reach them.
Three of the kids were already gone when the firefighters found them. An eight-year-old boy, a five-year-old boy, and a three-year-old girl died right there. Jasmine, who was twenty-seven, and her nine-year-old son Robert got flown to Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Both died later that day from their burns.
The family lost four children in all. Their names were Robert Mitchell, Troy Mitchell, Levi Mitchell, and Avril Mitchell. Only seven-year-old Grayson made it out alive with his dad and grandmother.
Neighbors heard the yelling and the roar of the fire that night. One woman who lives next door said no parent should ever have to bury their kids. Investigators are still looking into how the fire started. The house is nothing but blackened wood and pink insulation now.
People around Canton have started bringing clothes and toys for Grayson. He likes Legos and things for outside play. Family members say the holidays will be hard without his mom. The boy lost almost everything in those few minutes after midnight.
This small East Texas town is quiet now except for the memorials growing by the road. Jasmine and her four kids are gone. Grayson and his father are left to figure out the next steps one day at a time.
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