Eleven dead in New Orleans-area fire

MARRERO, La., March 10 (UPI) -- A least 11 people died early Thursday in an apartment fire in a New Orleans suburb, WWL-TV, New Orleans, reported.

Mark Goldman, a spokesman for the Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office, said the apartment in suburban Marrero was totally engulfed when firefighters arrived. Four people apparently survived the deadly blaze.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Harry Lee said the family moved into the new apartment Wednesday and were using candles because there was no electricity. He said a family member attempted to move a burning mattress and it wedged in a door.

Goldman said some of the victims appeared to have died of smoke inhalation and others from burns. All of the bodies were found on the second floor of the apartment. Those who survived apparently jumped to safety.

The victims ranged in age from six months to 42 years old, a police spokesman said.