( CNN ) -- Three Michigan children reportedly left alone in their family 's apartment died in a fire Monday afternoon , a public safety official said . The fire broke out around 2 p.m. in Kalamazoo , said Brian Uridge , assistant chief of public safety . Two of the children were 3 years old , and the third was 1 , Uridge said . `` You could see smoke from blocks away , '' Uridge said . The main floor of the apartment building was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived , and `` they found three kids who had already perished as a result of the fire , '' he said . The cause of the fire is unknown , he said . The children 's parents were at the scene , Uridge said . `` Initially , we have information that the kids were left alone in the apartment , but we ca n't talk about charges because it 's too early in the investigation , '' Uridge said . The victims ' identities have not been released .
Three children , ages 4 , 3 and 2 , die in an apartment fire in Michigan . The kids were left home alone , an investigator says .