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Six children among victims of Mississippi fire

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Nine people killed in blaze in Starkville apartment
  • Victims are three women, 19 and 26, and children ages 2 to 6
  • Neighbor reported fire between 4 and 4:30 a.m. Monday
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(CNN) -- Nine people, including six children, died early Monday in an apartment fire in Starkville, Mississippi, the state fire marshal said.

The Oktibbeha County coroner confirmed the deaths, said Mike Chaney, state insurance commissioner and fire marshal. The victims were a 25-year-old woman, two 19-year-old women and children ranging in age from 2 to 6.

An investigation was under way to determine whether they died from the smoke, flames or both, Chaney said.

The fire was reported between 4 and 4:30 a.m. by a neighbor, who called 911, Chaney said.

Five of the victims lived in the apartment, and the other four were visiting, Cookie Bell of Chaney's office said. She did not know which of the victims were the visitors.

CNN's Carolina Sanchez contributed to this report.