Updated

Fire officials say two children have died in a Christmas morning fire that destroyed a house in Kentucky.

Maj. Henry Ott of the Louisville Metro Arson Squad says the children were ages 10 and 12. Their grandparents were injured too.

Chief Chris Aponte of the Harrods Creek Fire Department says three firefighters were also hurt battling the blaze, which was reported through an alarm system just after 4:30 a.m.

Aponte tells The Courier-Journal the children's parents and grandparents had escaped and were trying to rescue the children when firefighters arrived.

Aponte says the grandfather was reported in intensive care and the grandmother was being evaluated for cuts and smoke inhalation.