Two bodies found in burning house

The bodies of a young woman and a small child were found Tuesday morning, Jan. 27, in a house burning in the 900 block of Kleine Street in Gonzales.

The victims have been identified as Nicole Smith Hunt, 21, and her two-year-old daughter, Kalandree Hunt.

Gonzales Fire Chief John Parr said the fire in the small, wood-frame house was reported at 11:09 a.m. Tuesday. When firefighters initially were dispatched to the fire, they were unaware of whether or not anyone was still inside the burning house.

The first report indicated the house was fully engulfed in flames, and at 11:11 a.m. when firefighters arrived, they found the front half of the house fully involved and blowing out the windows, Parr said. Two engines and 16 personnel from the Gonzales Fire Department responded.

Parr said he was able to go into the house through the back door within 6 to 8 minutes of arriving at the scene. He found the body of the young woman, and the child was found soon afterward.

Authorities said it appeared the mother and child had been asleep when the fire broke out. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Darrell Becker was summoned to conduct the inquest. Becker ordered autopsies on both victims, and the bodies subsequently were transported to the Austin office of Travis County Medical Examiner Dr. Roberto Bayardo. The autopsies have been performed, but results have not been released.

Fire Department personnel remained at the scene throughout most of the day Tuesday, assisting in the investigation to determine the cause of the fire. It is being investigated by Dennis Richter and Darle McClyntock of the state fire marshal's office with the assistance of the Gonzales Police Department.

Funeral services for Nicole and Kalandree Hunt are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Gonzales Junior High School Auditorium with the Rev. C.A. Roaches officiating. Burial will follow at the Brasco Cemetery with arrangements by Harris Family Funeral Home.

Survivors include Nicole's husband, Jonathon Eugene Hunt; her parents, Dennis and Esther Smith; and her grandparents, Virgil and Lois Smith.