CENTRAL HEIGHTS - Three people were killed this morning when a fire destroyed their house in western Lauderdale County, fire officials said.

A 68-year-old woman and her 67-year-old husband died along with their 36-year-old nephew. Their bodies were found in a bathroom, emergency workers at the scene said.

Names of the victims were not immediately released, pending notification of family members.

The fire at the two-story, brick-framed house on Lauderdale 81 was reported just before 3 a.m. Firefighters from several volunteer departments worked several hours to put out the fire. The fire was so intense that the roof caved in, which made the search for the family more difficult.

The bodies were found about seven hours after the fire was reported.