SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — The investigation into one of South Bend’s deadliest fires continues after 5 children under the age of 11 died in a Sunday evening fire.
The fire happened in the 200 block of LaPorte Avenue.
There was one surviving child pulled from the home, an 11-year-old that is currently at a pediatric burn center in Indianapolis.
The children ranged in age between 17 months to 11 years old.
There was an adult at the home at the time of the fire and was able to make it out after trying to rescue those kids.
It was an adult male but the relation to the children is unknown.
Fire officials said that man made a determined effort to save the children, but heavy smoke and flames drove him back.
“We know how hard it is to lose anyone because we do everything in our power to avoid it, but it hurts even more so when it’s someone who is just begun their time on this earth. Properties can be rebuilt lives can never be replaced,” said Chief Carl Buchanon, South Bend Fire Department.
Fire crews were also met with heavy flames coming from both the first and second floor of the home where the children were trapped.
In total, 6 victims were rescued from the home.
And, in the middle of fighting the flames, a firefighter fell through the second floor of the home.
During the news conference, Chief Buchanon expressed how honored he is to be part of the South Bend Fire Department.
Chief Buchanon was at a loss for words on the efforts made by his firefighters.
He also added that their peer support team was also on scene helping and will continue assisting for firefighter’s mental support.
“We’re talking about human lives, and one thing in the South Bend Fire Department we care about most and foremost is human lives, especially our own, and we wanna make sure that we are taking time to to show them that not only there physical well-being is important to us, but their mental will being as well,” said Buchanon.
He was taken to Memorial Hospital and was treated and released last night.
At Tuesday’s news conference, South Bend Fire Chief Carl Buchanon says fire safety conversations are no longer just about stop drop and roll.
He says families should be discussing escape routes and how to get out if a fire occurs.
“These honest conversations with adolescents in youth is what we need to have more of today not just giving them passing out badge or passing out a head or giving them crayons or coloring books. Those are all fun concepts, but we need to be realistic with them, and we need to educate and teach them so that they can help us to help them to not be in the situation again,” said Buchanon.
The investigation is ongoing as the South Bend Fire Department works to find the cause of this fire.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office is also involved in the investigation.
Multiple agencies responded to the fire in South Bend.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.