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6-Year-Old Boy Killed in House Fire in Plains

Brave neighbors were able to rescue the boy's mother and three other children

By Associated Press

PLAINS – A 6-year-old boy died in a recent fire in Plains, but brave neighbors were able to rescue his mother and three other children, preventing the death toll from going higher.

The fire in the family’s duplex was reported at about 11 p.m. on May 28 by Janet Culver, who lived in the adjoining duplex.

The Missoulian reports Jake Glace, Tim Lane and Jerry Hayes broke into the locked apartment and with the help of police officer Christopher Reyna pulled Diana Elrod out of the house along with 8-year-old Stephen, 6-year-old Richard and 2-year-old R.J. The youngest, the son of Elrod’s boyfriend Robert Rasmussen, was found unconscious under a bed. A 7-year-old girl, Hila, climbed out a window.

Diana, Stephen and R.J. ended up being treated in Seattle hospitals. Rescuers were unable to revive Richard.