UPDATE: Children Assaulted, Apartment Set on Fire

The Essex County District Attorney, State Police and local police are investigating an assault on two young children Sunday night.

The children; ages 3 and 8 were stabbed by a woman and the apartment they were in, set on fire, police said. It is unclear whether they were stabbed before or after the fire started. The mother was at the scene and speaking to police.

The Salem Fire Department extinguished the fire in the Complex shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday night.

Fire broke out on the 7th floor in a kitchen in one of the units. The young children were taken to the North Shore Medical Center with injuries before a medical helicopter transported at least one of the children to a Boston hospital.

The two victims were classified as having "very serious" injuries, according to police. 

Police shut down Pope Street and traffic was diverted on Proctor Street. State Police and local police and fire are investigating the incident. 48 residents have been displaced.

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10:10 p.m. - MedFlight has landed at NSMC Salem for the victims from the fire. Reports are two of the victims are children. 48 residents from the apartment floor are currently displaced.  

11:15 p.m. - Unconfirmed reports the two children were attacked prior to the fire in the apartment. WCVB-TV reporting the childrens' injuries are life threatening. 

11:23 p.m. - State Police Crime Van has arrived on the scene.

12 a.m. - Carrie Kimball-Monahan, spokesperson for the Essex County District Attorney's Office confirms her office is investigating the assault and fire.

12:02 a.m. - The Salem Fire Department said on their Facebook account: "The Salem Fire Department rescued two young children tonight at a fire on the 7th floor of the Salem Heights apartment complex at 12 Pope St. Great job by the guys on Group 3! We hope the children recover from their injuries."

Stay with Salem Patch for the latest information.