Three Children Killed in Austin Apartment Fire Identified

Three siblings killed in a southeast Austin apartment fire have been identified, and investigators said the blaze does not appear to have been set intentionally, though the cause remains unknown.

Austin Fire crews responded just before 1 a.m. March 11 to a fire at a multi-family complex in the 2500 block of Burleson Road. Firefighters extinguished the flames before they spread beyond the initial unit, described as a two-story townhome.

Inside, crews found three children, all pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities on Tuesday identified them as Anyah Lucero, 10; Athena Lucero, 7 and Jeremy Lucero, 5.

A GoFundMe created on behalf of the family lists the oldest child as Aniyah Lucero.

The 10-year-old was described in the fundraiser as the "best big sister anyone could ask for" to her siblings — a sister who was a "true girly girl with a big personality" and a brother who loved bananas and blueberries and had a "gentle spirit."

The children's youngest sibling and their parents were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Their conditions have not been publicly released. According to the GoFundMe, the youngest child is 3 years old.

The fundraiser has raised more than $100,000 to help cover burial costs, medical expenses, temporary housing and ongoing mental health care for the family.

Arson investigators, working alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have examined the scene but have not determined what caused the fire. Police said the case is not being investigated as a homicide.

The investigation remains ongoing, officials said.