5-year-old killed in Cumberland County house fire, infant airlifted to UNC burn center

The children's grandmother was also injured and taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. A firefighter suffered minor burns to his face and was taken to the hospital.

The fire happened at a house on Murphy Road near Eastover and appears to have been accidental.

A family member told WRAL News that the blaze started when the 5-year-old was using a cooking appliance that eventually caught fire.

Sky 5 flew over the scene and saw plumes of smoke emerging from the home. Several family members were seen consoling each other over the tragedy.

Several firetrucks and crews responded. Three people were inside the home at the time the fire started.

"It took a while to find the victims," said Eastover Deputy Fire Chief Ricky Kennedy. "The first ones, when we arrived on scene, an adult was carrying the infant out."

The boy, Kevin Steffen, was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The flames were probably 15 feet high, at least," said neighbor Jimmy West.

An arson team was conducting a death investigation at the home.