Coxno-11-year-old girl hospitalized after Indiana house fire dies, bringing death toll to 6 young siblings

2025-05-02 16:22:31source:John Caldwellcategory:Markets

SOUTH BEND,Coxno Ind. (AP) — An 11-year-old girl who was hospitalized for burns following a northern Indiana house fire has died, bringing the fire’s death toll to six children, all of them siblings, authorities said Monday.

Angel Smith died Friday at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, the Marion County Coroner’s Office said in a Monday update. Her death was confirmed one day after a vigil was held in South Bend for the six victims of the Jan. 21 fire.

Fire officials said the siblings were trapped by flames on the home’s second floor in South Bend, a city of about 100,000 just south of the Michigan state line. Their father survived the blaze and is recovering from his injuries, said Suzie Krill, a spokesperson for the South Bend Fire Department.

He had told firefighters that he tried to rescue the children but was forced back by heavy smoke and wind-driven flames, South Bend Fire Chief Carl Buchanon said last week.

Other news Voter turnout in 2024 New Hampshire GOP primary eclipses recordTrapped in his crashed truck, an Indiana man is rescued after 6 days surviving on rainwater

The five other children killed in the fire were previously identified as three boys — Demetris Smith, 10; Deontay Smith, 5; and D’Angelo Smith, 4; and two girls, Davida Smith, 9; and Faith Smith, 17 months.

Krill said Monday that the cause of the deadly fire remains under investigation by South Bend fire investigators and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

During a vigil held Sunday outside the burned home for the six children, white, pink and blue balloons were released for the siblings, their names were recited and prayers were offered.

Lynn Coleman, a South Bend community leader, said the deadly fire was difficult to comprehend.

“You know, people say, ‘What happened?’ It doesn’t matter. It won’t bring those six babies back,” Coleman told WNDU-TV.

More:Markets

Recommend

Snowflakes, Death Threats and Dollar Signs: Cloud Seeding Is at a Crossroads

Listen to an audio version of this story below.Humans have the technology to literally make snow fal

Revolve Sale Finds Under $60: Up to 82% Off Must-Have Styles From Nike, AllSaints & More

We independently selected these deals and products because we love them, and we think you might like

CDC says salmonella outbreak linked to bearded dragons has spread to nine states

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating a multistate salmonella outbreak lin