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Last updated on Tuesday, January 31, 2017
(FLORA) - A house fire that claimed the lives of four young sisters in Carroll County last year has been ruled intentionally set.
Investigators with the State Fire Marshal, part of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), are requesting assistance from citizens in the investigation into a fire that resulted in four deaths.
The November 21, 2016, Flora, Ind. fire has been ruled incendiary. At this time, there are no suspects, and investigators with IDHS, the Flora Fire Department and the Indiana State Police are asking local residents to come forward. Anyone with information about the case should contact the Indiana State Arson Hotline at 1-800-382-4628. Callers may receive up to a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person(s) responsible.
Investigators determined the fire to be incendiary after accelerants were found in several locations of the structure.
The fire resulted in the death of four children: Keyana Davis, 11; Keyara Phillips, 9; Kerriele McDonald, 7; Konnie Welch, 5.
In addition to the four fatalities, the mother was injured, and was airlifted from the scene. Two police officers were also injured, one from the Carroll County Sheriff's Department, and one from the Flora Police Department. Both officers have since been released from the hospital and have returned to work.
The structure was originally a single-family home that was divided into two apartments. The family of five lived in the lower unit where the fire was set. A family was living in the second unit, and the mother, who was the only one home at the time, escaped unharmed.
Investigators couldn't find batteries in a smoke alarm on the second floor. The smoke alarm was in the upstairs hallway, which was exposed to extreme heat. The alarm was scorched and melted. The smoke alarm in the second apartment with the uninjured mother was found to be working when crews responded to the fire.
The investigation has been led by the Indiana State Fire Marshal, with help from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Indiana State Police, Carroll County Sheriff's Department, Flora Fire Department and Flora Police Department.
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