Fire kills boy, injures mother in southwest Missouri

CHESAPEAKE — A 9-year-old boy is dead and his mother critically injured after a house fire in southwest Missouri.

Officials from the Lawrence County sheriff's office say Colton Real was found about 10 feet from the back door inside the burned Chesapeake-area house Saturday morning. Firefighters tried to reach the child Friday night when the fire broke out, but the flames and heat were too intense.

The boy's mother escaped the fire and was taken to a Springfield hospital, where she is listed in critical condition.

Authorities say foul play is not suspected at this time. The cause has not been released, but investigators say the mother and child were trying to stay warm when the fire happened.