jeebus

4 children dead following ‘HAZMAT incident’ in Texas: https://t.co/OngfpO9TtZ pic.twitter.com/p3Z6g3jYQO

— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) January 2, 2017

The Amarillo Fire Department said there were 10 people inside the home when the incident occurred. When crews arrived at the scene just after 5 a.m. Monday, one minor was already dead. The other three died after being taken to the hospital. The oldest of those who have died due to this incident was 17 years old. One of the other people who were taken to the hospital is said to be unstable and in critical condition.

AFD said someone at the residence had sprayed a pesticide containing aluminum phosphide underneath the house. At some point, a person living at the home tried to wash away the pesticide with water. This caused a chemical reaction that created phosphine gas, which is extremely dangerous. Phosphine gas causes pulmonary edema and extreme respiratory distress.

According to AFD, there are indications that the people in the home had been breathing the toxic gas for up to two days.

According to Special Crimes, “No criminal charges appear to apply at this time.”