COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- A recently-single mother is suspected of trying to kill all five of her children by sparking a fire that killed her 16-month-old daughter and critically injured four others kids Monday night, authorities said.

Police received a 911 call reporting a possible explosion at Galena Court and Flintridge Drive at 10:01 p.m. The first officers to arrive pulled five children from the smoking house: the 16-month-old girl, a 3-year-old girl, a 5-year-old boy, an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old boy.

The mother of the children, identified as 25-year-old Marie Joseph, was found a block from the home.

"It is my understanding that the first responding officers observed her going away from the house and they were able to catch up with her," said Lt. Skip Arms with the Colorado Springs Police Department.

The 16-month-old girl, Ashia M. Joseph, was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy conducted Tuesday determined that she died from smoke inhalation and thermal injuries. Her death has been ruled a homicide.

All of the other children are in critical condition at Children's Hospital in Aurora.

Their mother was taken to Penrose Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and then released to police.

Joseph, who also goes by the name of Maria Darlene Gardner, has been booked into the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center on one count of first-degree murder.

Arms said that Joseph could also face attempted murder charges in connection with the injuries to the four other children.

"There will most likely be arson charges filed as well," said Arms.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Police confirmed that the father of the three youngest children, Simeon Joseph, committed suicide in October at the home.

Police said there was no active fire when they arrived, but the home was filled with smoke.

The violent crimes unit of the Police Department is working with the Colorado Springs Fire Department to investigate the incident.

The two oldest boys are students at Fremont Elementary School in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs School District 11 sent about five counselors and a psychologist to the school Tuesday to help classmates of the two boys. Letters will be sent home to parents advising them how to talk to their children about the incident.

The 3- and 8-year-olds were taken by ambulance to The Children's Hospital Monday night because weather conditions prevented a transfer by medical helicopter. The other two were at Memorial Central Hospital in Colorado Springs, but then transferred to Children's on Tuesday.