Three people are dead following an early morning house fire in Buffalo's University District that happened on Friday.

Authorities confirmed an 8-year-old boy, 4-year-old Cianna Jones and 26-year-old aunt Brianna Ross were killed in the fire, which started around 1 a.m. in a single-family home on Shirley Avenue. According to Buffalo Police, the fire has been determined accidental after it started in the kitchen.

The 8-year-old boy who was initially listed in critical condition at Oishei Children's Hospital was pronounced deceased early Saturday. Buffalo Fire Commissioner Bill Renaldo confirmed the boy had burns over 80 percent of his body.

The children's parents were taken to ECMC to be treated for smoke inhalation. The father has since been released; the mother is still receiving medical attention, Renaldo confirmed. 

"The woman who died in the fire was visiting the family at the time," he said.

Renaldo said firefighters were told there was a working smoke detector in the house. He said the father was woken up by the alarm and tried to gather his family and get them to safety. When the power went out, he "lost control" of his family. 

"It's a very emotional time," Renaldo said. "Even some of the police officers who were at the scene, some of our younger firefighters, who haven't experienced it yet, several of them are having a really hard time with it. I feel the same way. It's a tragic event." 

Firefighters say the house suffered significant damage.

Donations for the family are being accepted at 560 Stockbridge Avenue. You can also call the Buffalo Father's Organization at 716-445-4053.