South Bend, IN – A heartbreaking fire on Sunday, January 21, 2024, claimed the lives of five children in South Bend, Indiana.
South Bend Fire Department reports the fire started around 5:30 p.m. at a residence on 222 North LaPorte Avenue. Despite the efforts of firefighters who battled the blaze for several hours, the incident resulted in fatalities. Firefighters faced challenging conditions, with intense flames engulfing the house and part of the roof collapsing. Six individuals were rescued from the home, but unfortunately, five children were later pronounced dead. One of the survivors was urgently taken to Memorial Hospital and then airlifted to a pediatric burn center in Indianapolis for specialized treatment.
The fire also posed risks to the firefighters, with one firefighter falling from the second to the first floor. He has since been released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
In a statement, firefighters lauded the extraordinary bravery of the firefighters, especially the crew of Engine 2, and expressed the community’s profound sorrow over the loss of young lives and reiterated the department’s commitment to assisting the families affected by this tragedy.
An investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, involving both local and state authorities.
