Five Die From Texas Shelter Fire

January 6, 2009 10:43 p.m. EST

Paris, TX (AHN) - An early morning fire at a shelter for homeless people in Paris, Texas killed five men on Monday.

The bodies of the victims have been sent to Dallas for autopsies and positive identification, according to Paris Fire Chief Ronnie Grooms.

Residents of the two-story Christian in Action building reported the fire at 2:49 a.m. About 30 firefighters and four fire engines put the fire under control by 5:42 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Residents told investigators of hearing loud pops before seeing smoke and flames at the facility's sorting room in the second floor.

The American Red Cross temporarily sheltered the surviving residents at a First United Church building.