November 3, 2008 Mother, son die in Lawrence, Mass. house fire Play video

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards, Lawrence, Mass.) - Officials say a mother and her special needs son died in a house fire in Lawrence, Massachusetts early this morning after the mother went back into the home to rescue her son.

Police Chief John Romero says the fire broke out just after midnight. 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*