Child dead, 2 other people injured in early morning car fire

Idaho authorities say a 5-year-old girl is dead and another child and adult were injured after a car erupted into flames while parked at a Wal-Mart early Tuesday morning.

Boise police say the three were sleeping in the car at the time, and investigators believe a portable heater likely caused the fire. The fire broke out just after 3:30 a.m., and the car was fully engulfed by the time emergency crews arrived.

“This is a tragic situation and one that pains all of us to respond to and even hear about,” said Capt. Ron Winegar in a

. “Our hearts go out to the family who lost a child today.”

A toddler and an adult woman both sustained non-life-threatening injuries in the fire and were hospitalized.

Boise Police, Boise Fire and Ada County Paramedics responded to the fire. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting in the investigation.