Five Found Dead In Beaumont Apartment Complex

BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) – Beaumont police say five people have been found dead today in an apartment complex. Spokeswoman Carman Apple says it appears the three children and two adults had been using a generator following Hurricane Rita — and carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected.

Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in southeast Texas and Louisiana lost electricity when Rita came ashore early Saturday. The storm made landfall near Sabine Pass, which is about 30 miles from Beaumont.

Ms. Apple says the apartment complex is located near the NechesRiver. She says an aunt who wanted to check on the welfare of the family came upon the bodies. They’re described by police as a two girls, a boy, a woman and a man. Apple says the children and the female were related. The man was a companion.

Meanwhile, President Bush tomorrow will visit the hurricane-affected Beaumont-Port Arthur area. Authorities say at least 16 Texas oil refineries remain shut down due to Rita.

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Information from Scott Lawrence & KFDM-TV staff

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-09-26-05 1213EDT