ST. LOUIS -- A St. Louis house fire killed three children, injured a man who tried to rescue them and forced several people to jump from the home's upper floor.

KMOX-AM reported the fire started around 4 a.m. Sunday in the northern part of the city.

Fire Capt. Greg Favre said seven people escaped, with some jumping and others forced out the front door. He said the child victims ranged in age from 10 months to 6 years. A man was hurt when he tried go back inside for the children.

Authorities believe the fire started with a space heater.