CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A mother and two of her children died when fire swept through their apartment early Saturday, a fire official said.

The 37-year-old mother was pronounced dead at the scene and the two children, ages 13 and 2, died later at a hospital, Charlotte Fire Department Capt. Rob Brisley said.

He said the woman's 18-year-old son escaped the blaze unhurt and called 911. The first of three calls came in at 1:18 a.m. A fire engine arrived within two minutes, and firefighters pulled the mother and two children from the burning apartment.

Brisley says a task force that includes police and fire investigators is seeking the fire's cause, but he said early indications suggest it was an accident.

"The firefighters got here as quick as we could, however, the fire conditions were overwhelming even for an experienced firefighter," Brisley said.