FORT EDWARD, N.Y. – Fire investigators in upstate New York scoured the charred wreckage of a two-story house Sunday for clues to a blaze that killed six young children.

Five people, including two adults who were injured and a 5-year-old boy, escaped the fire, officials said. Investigators were still trying to figure out how many people lived in the house.

It could take investigators several days to determine what caused the fire that swept through the house just after sunrise Saturday.

Washington County Director of Public Safety William Cook said investigators believe the blaze started in the living room on the first floor. They do not suspect foul play.

The six children, ages 1-12, died of smoke inhalation. Five were found in upstairs bedrooms; one was in a downstairs bedroom. Authorities would not identify them.

But Florence Palazzo said two of her daughters, 12-year-old Hope Palazzo-Smith and 6-year-old Mackenzie Palazzo-Smith, died in the fire.

Three other victims were children of the injured couple, relatives said. They identified them as Lewis Carl Smith Jr., age 7 or 8; Emillie Smith, 3; and Abigail Smith, who turned 1 on Thursday. Also dead was 8-year-old Paige Cox, the daughter of the injured woman, according to relatives.

“They were innocent kids,” Palazzo said. “None of them deserved this.”

Lewis Carl Smith Sr. and girlfriend Samantha Cox were in a first-floor bedroom when the fire broke out. The couple were injured trying to rescue the children, Cook said.

Cox was in critical condition at Westchester County Medical Center on Sunday.

Smith’s aunt Donna Layton said she spoke to him on the phone from the hospital.

“He could hear the kids screaming to him, ‘Daddy, help me!”‘ Layton said.

“It’s got to be terrifying to see your kids and not be able to help them.”