LA PORTE – A family and community are mourning the loss of two young children who died during a house fire here early Sunday.
The boys were asleep on the second floor when the fire broke out and were unable to make it out in time. There were four others inside the home at the time of the fire who made it out safely.
Family and friends identified the boys as Izaac Chapa and Izrael Chapa. Both were students at La Porte Junior High.
"They were great kids," said Tina Chapa, the boys' aunt. "No other boys like them."
Two La Porte police officers, who were first on scene, attempted to rescue the boys, but the smoke and fire were too strong for them to make an attempt to get upstairs.
Both officers were treated for smoke inhalation.
"They just couldn't get them; the structure was falling," said Chapa.
Firefighters later located the boys, but one had died at the scene and the other on the way to the hospital.
An investigation into what started the fire is ongoing. Firefighters believe the fire started due to an electrical issue and don't suspect foul play.
