Three family members die after fire believed started in Christmas tree

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- An apartment fire that officials believe started in a family's Christmas tree killed a man and two children and left his wife and the couple's other child both in critical condition.

All the children were younger than 6, officials said. Their names were not released.

The fire trapped the family in a bedroom of the second-floor apartment, blocking their exit, said Division Chief Raymond Lewis of the Memphis Fire Department.

Investigators said the blaze apparently started when a Christmas tree caught fire in the living room, possibly because of faulty wiring.

A boy and girl were dead when they reached the hospital, officials at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center said. A 3-year-old boy was in critical condition Sunday night.

The father, identified as Anthony Digges, died at the Regional Medical Center. His wife, who family members identified as Matesa Digges, was in critical condition late Sunday.

"It's always tough ... but particularly this time of year," Lewis told The Commercial Appeal of Memphis. "A whole family right before Christmas."