South Bend fire officials say La Porte Avenue fire 'does not appear suspicious in nature'

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Although the cause of the fire that claimed the life of six children in South Bend last month is still unknown, South Bend fire officials are saying that the fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature and that no foul play is suspected at this time.

On Jan. 21, the South Bend Fire Department responded to a fire that was reported around 6:30 p.m. in the 200 block of LaPorte Avenue. It was discovered that five children had died on the scene of the fire and one succumbed to injuries sustained from the fire just days later. 

The father of the children, 67-year-old David Smith, was the only other person reportedly in the house at the time and escaped with minor injuries. 

The fire is still under investigation and ABC57 will update this story as more information becomes available.