November 3, 2008 Mom dies trying to rescue son from Lawrence fire Play video

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards, Lawrence, Mass.) - A mother and her special needs son are dead after fire swept through their home overnight.

Police Chief John Romero says the fire broke out just after midnight on Monday. The parents escaped, but the mother went back inside to rescue her 20-year-old son who was trapped in his room.

Firefighters pulled two unconscious people from the burning home, but they were pronounced dead at a hospital.

Romero tells the Eagle-Tribune that the victims have been identified as 51-year-old Linda Cahalane and her son, Sean.

The state fire marshal said a short in a baseboard heater in the kitchen likely sparked the fire.

*Material from the Associated Press used in this report*