05:26 PM CDT on Wednesday, June 28, 2006

By Vicente Arenas / 11 News

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Police are trying to determine exactly what sparked that deadly blaze that killed three children Tuesday.

They’re also focusing on burglar bars that kept firefighters from getting to the children.

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Fire officials look for cause to deadly blaze

For many families living at the Saint Joseph Condominiums the last 24 hours have been tough.

“I feel tried, up all night, no sleep.  I don’t know what to say,” said Chin Nguyen who is related to the young victims.

Several people lost everything in the blaze.

“We were hampered in getting inside the building,” said Assistant Fire Chief, Rick Flanagan.

Burglar bars, firefighters said, slowed their rescue efforts.

Every condo seemed to have them.

The devices offer protection and now, Thao Pham said, fear. “It scares me to death.”

The fire department is trying to determine if the bars violate city code.

While it’s still not clear what started the deadly fire, one unit was filled with what seemed to be fire hazards.

“Everyone, scared,” said Cao Dang.

But teaching fire safety to this mostly Vietnamese community may not be easy.

There are only four firefighters who speak the language and know the culture.

Thanh Nguyen is one of them, “And I believe the fire department, they need somebody, more speakers to help the Vietnamese community effectively,” he said.

It is clear that help is needed, but for some it’s too late.