Three children died this week in a house fire allegedly started by their father at his home in New Orleans.

Joseph Washington, 29, was taken into custody Wednesday and booked on charges linked to the deaths of the children a 5-year-old girl and two boys, ages 8 and 3 the New Orleans Police Department said at a press conference . According to court records , Washington was hit Thursday with three counts of first-degree murder, three counts of cruelty to juveniles and one count of aggravated arson. He is being held without bond.

On Tuesday, the childrens mother had dialed 911 around 11:55 p.m. According to a recording released by the Orleans Parish Communication District, she said that she was at work and had received a disturbing phone call from the home.

Hes screaming, I heard the kids screaming, hes screaming on the phone, she told a dispatcher. Yall have to just break through the door before anything happens. Please.