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Mary P. Brown, 30, and her twin 3-year-old sons, Isiah and Isiac Brown, died of smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at their West Ashley home on the night of Aug. 24, 2010, authorities said.

Charleston County Deputy Coroner Kelly Myers said all three died at the house at 1918 Green Park Ave. Brown had left food cooking on the stove and the boys at home without supervision while she drove about two miles to pick up a friend, Kimario Simmons, from a residence on Wallace Lane, according to a Charleston County Sheriff's Office release.

Investigators did not determine how long she had been gone. The house was full of smoke when the two arrived back, and Brown is believed to have gone inside after the children.

Simmons called 911 at 9:07 p.m. from the backyard with one of the boys in his arms. "We need your help, man," he told the dispatcher. "We're on Green Park and Dogwood, hurry up." Told to check who else was inside, he said, "I can't see to go in. She in there trying to get the other baby out of the house."

The dispatcher talked Simmons through CPR on the child, later identified as Isiah, until sirens could be heard on the line. Firefighters found Simmons and the boy in the backyard. Brown was found in a hallway near the doorway of the bedroom where her other son was.

Fire officials said unattended food and pots left on a hot stove caused the fire. The kitchen was damaged and there was heavy smoke throughout the house, and a smoke detector in one of the bedrooms was sounding when crews arrived. Officials said a dispatcher initially misheard the location and briefly sent standby units to the wrong address before a second dispatcher corrected the error, and that units were on their way within two minutes of the call.

Simmons declined to comment. Neighbors described Brown as a devoted mother who was often outside with the boys. Fielding Home for Funerals handled the services.