2 dead, 2 injured in early morning fire

Chicago firefighters say two children, ages 6 and 9, died and two others were injured in a fire in the Marquette Park neighborhood on the city's southwest side.

Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford says the two dead children were found in the basement of the home early Monday morning.

The fire in the 1ˆ½-story brick house began just after 1 a.m., and was brought under control about a half-hour later.

Police were at the home when firefighters arrived and had rescued the two children. A witness says the children were at windows, screaming, when police arrived.

One child, who was asthmatic, was taken in serious condition to University of Chicago Comer's Children's Hospital with smoke inhalation; the other was taken in good condition to Holy Cross.