KPTV - FOX 12Children home alone when fire starts in McMinnville apartment

McMinnville fire officials say two children, ages 5 and 6, were home alone when a fire started in their Sesame Street apartment.

Fire investigators believe a lit candle was knocked over by the children or their dog and started a blanket on fire.

The flames quickly spread throughout that apartment and to three adjoining units.

Wright, who lives above their apartment, ran downstairs when she realized the building was on fire. By then, the 6-year-old boy had jumped out of a window, but his sister was still inside.

"She was just shaking, she was so scared," said Wright. "I grabbed her and pulled her right out the window and got her, her brother and my daughter all to safety."

Wright's apartment and nearly everything inside was also destroyed. The contents of her wallet were among the items she was able to recover. The wallet itself melted, but her credit cards and money were intact, if a bit charred.

"I'm actually surprised at how well I'm holding it together. Especially seeing all this," she said, glancing around at her charred furniture and blackened walls. "I'm surprised I just not being a sobbing baby. But it's either take it badly or take it well and move on from it."

In all, four families were burned out of their homes. Two units, Wright's and the children's, were gutted. Two others have heavy smoke damage.

McMinnville fire authorities say the children's parents had left with a third child to walk to a doctor appointment shortly before the fire began.

Those three children are now in protective custody. Their parents have not been charged at this time.

The Red Cross is assisting the displaced families.

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