South Bend Fire Department names child victims in fatal LaPorte Avenue house fire

Camille Sarabia, South Bend Tribune
People have created a memorial of stuffed animals, candles and flowers, seen Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the scene of Sunday’s house fire at 222 N. LaPorte Ave. that killed five children.
People have created a memorial of stuffed animals, candles and flowers, seen Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at the scene of Sunday’s house fire at 222 N. LaPorte Ave. that killed five children.

SOUTH BEND — Five young lives, taken Sunday night by a brutal fire, have been identified by the South Bend Fire Department.

A residential home on 222 LaPorte Ave. caught fire Jan. 21, killing two girls, 9-year-old Davida Smith and 17-month-old Faith Smith, as well as three boys, identified as 10-year-old Demetis Smith, 5-year-old Deontay Smith and 4-year-old D’Angelo Smith.

The sixth child victim of the fire, eldest sister 11-year-old Angel Smith, is in critical condition in Riley Children's Health, according to Courtney Taylor, the hospital's Senior Public Relations Associate. The children's father, David Smith, escaped the fire and tried unsuccessfully to rescue his children.

“Fire Chief Carl Buchanon urges the community to keep the Smith family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult journey," read a written release by the department on Wednesday.

The fire department stated in the release that the children's father had minor injuries and two firefighters were injured on duty.

According to the release, as firefighters were searching the second floor, one firefighter fell through a hole in the floor and landed on the first floor. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is now resting at home while undergoing further evaluations.

A second injured first firefighter, according to the fire department, was treated for minor burns and returned back to work.

The fire department also encouraged the community who want to to help, to verify sources who are asking for money on behalf of the Smith family. Local community leaders are seeking donations to the "Smith Family Memorial Fund," which can be made at any First Source Bank.

At this time, this incident remains under investigation as South Bend fire investigators are working closely with South Bend Police and investigators with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Child victims in fatal LaPorte Avenue fire named by South Bend FD

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