3 Dead In House Fire Ruled Double Murder-Suicide

VAN ALSTYNE, Texas (AP) — Investigators believe the deaths of two children and their father whose bodies were in a burning North Texas home was a double murder and a suicide.

The Grayson County Sheriff's Office on Monday identified the dead as 45-year-old David Lee Small, his 9-year-old daughter Ashley and his 8-year-old son Grant.

Firefighters discovered the bodies Sunday afternoon while responding to a house fire near Van Alstyne (van AHLZ'-teen), about 50 miles northeast of Dallas.

Investigators say it appears David Small caused the deaths of his two children, then committed suicide. A coroner on Monday did not immediately provide causes of death, but said the children and their father showed significant signs of smoke inhalation and no other trauma.