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6 Killed in House Fire in Rural Indiana, Officials Say 6 Siblings Killed in House Fire in Rural Indiana, Officials Say
(about 5 hours later)
Six people, including children, were killed in a fire that destroyed a family home in rural Indiana early Saturday morning, officials said. Six siblings, ranging in age from 25 to 10 years old, were killed in a fire that destroyed a family home in rural Indiana early Saturday morning, officials said.
Investigators have not yet positively identified the victims, Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police said on Sunday. The authorities identified the victims as Paige Ridener, 25; James Ridener, 15; Jordan Ridener, 13; Joshua Ridener, 12; Emilee Ridener, 11; and Elizabeth Ridener, 10.
“We believe there were kids involved,” Sergeant Wheeles said. “As far as saying certain ages, it’s too early to say that.” The five youngest siblings lived at the residence, but the eldest had been staying at the home for a few weeks, Sgt. Stephen Wheeles of the Indiana State Police said Sunday.
The victims have not been publicly identified. The fire happened in Vevay, a rural town on the Ohio River, about 100 miles southeast of Indianapolis. The fire happened in Vevay, a rural town on the Ohio River, about 100 miles southeast of Indianapolis.
The fire was reported shortly after 3 a.m. and might have started on the porch of the two-story family house, said David Hosick, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, which includes the State Fire Marshal.The fire was reported shortly after 3 a.m. and might have started on the porch of the two-story family house, said David Hosick, a spokesman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, which includes the State Fire Marshal.
By the time firefighters arrived, the house was fully engulfed, he said. A man, who had been visiting the house, was able to escape without any injuries. His identity was not released. By the time firefighters arrived, the house was fully engulfed, he said. Joseph Buchheit, 33, who had been visiting the house, was able to escape without any injuries. Mr. Buchheit, who was Paige Ridener’s boyfriend, attempted to re-enter the home but was unable to because of the heavy fire and smoke, officials said.
“He is going through a lot and being the lone survivor of something like this, you have to be careful that he is not overwhelmed with people reaching out to him,” Sergeant Wheeles said.
The cause of the fire remained under investigation, but the authorities said that there was no indication that it was intentionally set or that foul play was involved.The cause of the fire remained under investigation, but the authorities said that there was no indication that it was intentionally set or that foul play was involved.
The house, on Lewis Drive, belonged to a family, but Mr. Hosick said officials did not know who was home at the time.
Josh South, who said he was a close friend of the family and who started a GoFundMe fund-raiser to help the family with expenses, declined to comment about the family for privacy reasons.Josh South, who said he was a close friend of the family and who started a GoFundMe fund-raiser to help the family with expenses, declined to comment about the family for privacy reasons.
“Once the family has decided, they will release any info related to the this horrific tragedy,” he said in a Facebook message on Sunday.“Once the family has decided, they will release any info related to the this horrific tragedy,” he said in a Facebook message on Sunday.
Mr. Hosick said the last fire in the state he could remember of such a magnitude was in 2018, when six family members were killed in their home in Logansport. Four children died in the blaze, which was ruled accidental.Mr. Hosick said the last fire in the state he could remember of such a magnitude was in 2018, when six family members were killed in their home in Logansport. Four children died in the blaze, which was ruled accidental.
Mr. Hosick said the fire in Vevay was “going to hit these folks hard.”Mr. Hosick said the fire in Vevay was “going to hit these folks hard.”
Sargeant Wheeles said, “When you have that many people from one family group or one friend group perish in a fire, that is devastating.”Sargeant Wheeles said, “When you have that many people from one family group or one friend group perish in a fire, that is devastating.”
“We have fire personnel and police that responded who are having to deal with the aftermath,” he said. “It’s a rough situation all around.”“We have fire personnel and police that responded who are having to deal with the aftermath,” he said. “It’s a rough situation all around.”
Johnny Diaz and Aimee Ortiz contributed reporting.Johnny Diaz and Aimee Ortiz contributed reporting.