Children pulled from fire after vicious attack

SALEM, Mass. (WHDH) -- Two children were pulled from a burning home and rushed to the hospital Sunday, after officials say they were viciously attacked by their mother.

The mother, 25-year-old Tanicia Goodwin, was in custody Monday morning. According to published reports, the woman slashed her children’s throats and then set fire to the family’s Pope Street apartment Sunday night.

Police say the victims are three and eight years old. One was taken to the hospital by helicopter. Both are in critical condition at Children's Hospital in Boston.

Firefighters have confirmed there were actually three separate fires in the apartment. They helped one of the victims out of one apartment, while the other child had to be removed from a different apartment.

The flames were quickly extinguished. Neighbors say they noticed something strange about the fire, they just hadn’t realized how serious the situation was.

“It smelled like a grill, like a charcoal grill, like lighter fluid,” Mike Sharib said. “To me it seemed like someone was doing something stupid like trying to grill out their window or something, but then to find out this morning the severity of it was pretty insane.”

Firefighters say they helped one of the victims out of one apartment, while the other child had to be removed from a different apartment.

Goodwin is expected to be arraigned in Salem district court on two counts of assault with intent to murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and arson.

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