The youngest of the five fatalities was 17 months old, authorities said
A residential fire in South Bend, Indiana Sunday evening claimed the lives of five children, authorities said.
The South Bend Fire Department said in a news release that firefighters responded to 222 North LaPorte Ave. where upon arrival, they were met with intense flames that occupied the first and second floors of the structure.
The department added that despite the conditions, firefighters contained a good amount of the fire on the first floor and reached the second floor where multiple people were found trapped. In total, six people were able to be rescued.
Tragically, five of these individuals, all children, would later be pronounced deceased,” the South Bend Fire Department said in its statement. “One survivor was urgently transported to Memorial Hospital and later airlifted to a specialized pediatric burn center in Indianapolis for further treatment.
As we mourn the lives lost, we also extend our deepest sympathies to the families affected by this tragedy,” continued the department’s statement. “The South Bend Fire Department is committed to providing support to these families during this difficult time and is working closely with local & State authorities to investigate the cause of the fire.”