Three sisters all under the age of 5 apparently died in a late Sunday morning house fire at 306 S. Oak St., Crescent.

The three girls were found dead in the remains of a shed where the fire is believed to have started before spreading to the house.

When the Crescent Fire Department responded, the house was completely engulfed, preventing firefighters from entering the residence, according to a state newspaper report.

The state fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire. The mother of the children was at the scene, but it was unclear from initial reports if she was inside the house when the fire started.