A plume of acrid smoke and the sound of helicopters hovering overhead marked the scene of a tragic, Thursday afternoon fire.

It was a few minutes before 4 p.m. when the first call arrived at East Pierce Fire and Rescue. When firefighters arrived at the residence – just off the intersection of Prairie Ridge Drive East and 147th Street East – one victim was found deceased.

Two other fire victims were transported by ambulance to a Seattle hospital. Their condition was not immediately known.

At 5 p.m., fire crews were still pouring water on the smoldering remains of the home.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.