7-year-old killed in house fire in California now a homicide investigation, police say

FRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) — A child died in a house fire in central Fresno early Wednesday morning.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Office identified the boy as 7-year-old Issac Vallejo of Fresno.

An adult was also taken to the hospital by ambulance with a broken leg.

It happened around 4:15 a.m. in the area of College and McKenzie Avenues.

The Fresno Police Department released the following statement Wednesday afternoon:

Police Chief Paco Balderrama and Fire Chief Kerri Donis will be holding a joint press conference today to discuss a homicide investigation. This investigation stems from the arson that took place this morning at 243 North College Avenue.

The news conference will be held at the Fresno Police Department Headquarters at 2:30 p.m. and FOX26 News will be there.

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Firefighters were faced with a house that was fully engulfed by the time crews arrived.

Neighbors said several families lived inside the house, and that some of those family members, including children, were missing.

Fire crews were unable to get inside the home right away because of the flames and damage to the structure.

40 firefighters worked to keep the fire from spreading to neighboring homes.

Police had the area blocked off with yellow tape.

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