Mother, 2 children killed in NC fire identified

CHARLOTTE -- Authorities have identified the mother and two children who died when fire swept through their North Carolina apartment and trapped them inside. Charlotte Mecklenburg Police said Saturday that 36-year-old Yolanda Denise Gipson and her children, 13-year-old Deja Gipson and 2-year-old Destiny Gipson were killed in the fire. Officials said Gipson's 18-year-old son escaped the fire unhurt and called 911. The Charlotte Observer reported that the fire destroyed a two-story end unit at Silver Oak Apartments in east Charlotte and damaged an adjacent apartment, displacing a family of five. Three other families were evacuated, but were allowed to return to their homes after firefighters contained the blaze. Charlotte Fire Department Capt. Rob Brisley said the fire started from food left cooking unattended on a stove and caused $75,000 in damage. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)