It was a nightmare scenario: A fire engulfed a Baltimore home and the family inside it on Thursday, injuring a mother and three children and killing six others, officials said.

The office of U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings identified the mother as a staff member who has worked for him in his Catonsville, Maryland, office for almost 11 years as a special assistant.

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It is all too easy to forget about fire safety — we think this type of unimaginable tragedy could never happen to us. Fire is a threat to every American home, and there are safety practices every busy American mom or dad should immediately make sure to have in place. The Baltimore blaze had neighbors and firefighters stunned — no one could save the children trapped inside.

“[Firefighters] were exhausted. They were in the front yard on one knee, and they saw me and they said, ‘Chief, we did all we could,’ because they knew the kids were in the house,” Baltimore Fire Chief Niles Ford told television station WBAL.

Heat from the fire was so intense it melted a nearby car, CNN reported.

“I know [the deceased children] couldn’t come out. They couldn’t. They were trapped. And we heard that kids were yelling. They were yelling,” neighbor Robert Spencer told Baltimore’s WJZ TV.

“I heard the kids crying … I couldn’t save them,” he said. “It was just too much fire. You see how big the house is. That’s how big the fire was. It was everywhere; it was coming from everywhere. You couldn’t do nothing.”

The mother and two little boys, ages five and four, remain in critical condition. An eight-year-old girl also was hospitalized. She helped her mother and two brothers escape the fire, said CNN.

Two boys were among the missing children — one was just two years old, while the baby was just nine months old. The four missing girls were ages 11, 10, and twins who were three years old.

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The American Red Cross offers these lifesaving tips for fire safety in every home. Take a moment to review and take needed steps for your family’s fire safety.

1.) Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
2.) Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.
3.) Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.
4.) If a fire occurs in your home, get out, stay out, and call for help. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

There were initial reports that the Baltimore fire was caused by a space heater in an upstairs room, but the fire is still under investigation. Space heaters can be a quick way to heat up a room, but can be extremely dangerous if used improperly. Space heaters cause 25,000 home fires a year and 6,000 emergency room visits, according to Harvard University Environmental Health & Safety.

SafeElectricity.org offers these very important safety reminders regarding the use of space heaters: Purchase only space heaters that have been safety tested and UL approved. Make sure the unit is equipped with an emergency tip-over shut-off feature and heating element guards. Read and follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions for operation and care. Some more safety tips:

1.) Before using a space heater, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working condition.
2.) Check to make sure the heater is clean and in good condition; have all problems professionally repaired.
3.) Place heater out of high-traffic areas and on a level, hard, non-flammable floor surface — not on carpets, furniture, or countertops.
4.) Space heaters have one purpose — to provide supplemental heating. Never use them to thaw pipes, cook food, or dry clothing or towels.
5.) Remember to keep space heaters at least three feet from combustible liquids like fuel, spray cans and paint, as well as flammable items such as draperies, blankets and sofas.
6.) Never allow pets or children near an electric heater. Accidental contact could result in serious shock or burns.
7.) Do not overload circuits. Never use extension cords or multiple plugs with a space heater, and make sure the unit is not plugged into the same circuit as other electric appliances.
8.) If your space heater is plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) and it trips, don’t assume there is something wrong with the GFCI. Immediately stop using the heater until it can be checked by a professional — if not, a serious shock could occur.
9.) Never leave space heaters unattended. Turn off your space heater and unplug it before leaving the room or going to bed.
10.) Replace older space heaters with newer, safer models.

Many people also use electric blankets to keep warm in winter. Before plugging in these blankets, check for any damage and inspect the cord for frays and cracks. Electric blankets should never be tucked under the mattress — and don’t place anything on top of the blanket while it’s in use, including comforters and bedspreads.

Pets should never be allowed to sleep on an electric blanket.

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Take a few minutes to share these fire tips with relatives, neighbors, and friends. There is no heartbreak worse than a preventable tragedy.