A mum has been left ‘broken’ after all five of her children aged under 10 died in a devastating fire on her birthday.

Sabrina Dunigan, 34, battled to rescue her children after reportedly leaving them alone to give someone a lift – then returning to find her home ablaze.

The tragedy happened at a flat in St Louis, Illinois, US, where Ms Dunigan was living with her children – identified locally as Deontay Dunigan, nine; seven-year-old twins Heaven and Nevaeh Dunigan; Jabari Johnson, four; and two-year-old Loyal Dunigan.

The children were also living with their grandparents, Greg Dunigan and Vanicia Mosley, after their previous home burned down, reports suggest.

The single mum-of-five tried to run into the building after the fire broke out in the early hours of Friday morning.

Fire crews from East St. Louis Fire Department found two of the children lifeless in a bedroom.

The other three were discovered unconscious, with two dying as they were rushed out of the flat.

The fifth child died on the way to hospital, a coroner said.

Mr Dunigan told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch how he tried to save the children but the fire was too powerful.

Ms Dunigan’s aunt, Sheila Dunigan, said: ‘Our family has never taken a hit like this, ever. We are devastated. We are broken’.

Grieving relatives have asked for privacy as the cause of the fire is investigated by the Illinois State Fire Marshall.

The family escaped injury after their previous home burned down five months ago, neighbours said.

Loved ones, friends and community leaders united at the scene for a prayer vigil on Friday.

They released balloons and placed flowers in memory of the deceased siblings.

A preacher told the gathering: ‘God we just ask that you wrap your loving arms around this family.’

And Ms Dunigan’s aunt Sheila urged people not to judge her niece.

‘People are judging my niece. Please, don’t judge her. Pray for her, that’s all I’m asking right now.’

The East St Louis School District, where three of the children were students, described the blaze as a tragedy.

They said: ‘Today the East St. Louis School District is grieving the loss of three students and their younger siblings. We send our sincere condolences to the family as they cope with this tragedy. We ask for respect and privacy as the family and our staff work through this significant loss.’

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