FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- A man who lost a custody battle with his ex-wife likely was the one who set fire to his home, killing himself and his two young children, officials said.

Tony Camacho, 39, allegedly set the blaze Thursday night, killing himself, his daughter Crystal, 8, and son Nelson, 10.

The blaze destroyed a two-bedroom house, which was supposed to have been turned over to Camacho's ex-wife within a month, according to Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spokesman Paul Miller. The office is currently investigating the case as a murder-suicide, Miller said.

"There's no question: Intentional. This was a premeditated act," Miller said.

Camacho had asked his wife, Jennie Carter, if he could see the children and give them their Christmas presents Thursday night before she took them back to Georgia, Miller said. Camacho died at the scene and the children died later at an area hospital.

Carter, 37, won custody of the children last week, according to a report in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.