Fire investigators back on LaPorte Avenue

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- There's still no official cause for a deadly South Bend blaze that took six young lives.

Fire investigators were back on LaPorte Avenue today digging through the burned-out rental home hoping to pinpoint exactly what sparked the flames.

Not only were inspectors out here today, but it was noticeable that some people placed even more stuffed animals at the site.

Now, six weeks since the tragic fire, neighbors in the area say they hope the outcome of this investigation provides some sort of closure.

Part of LaPorte Avenue was closed today as investigators work to determine what caused the fire that took the lives of six children.

South Bend fire officials say the fire does not appear to be suspicious in nature, and they don't suspect foul play. But there are still many unanswered questions.

Two private investigation firms, fire and explosion consultants, forensic investigators, and the state fire marshal spent the day examining the wreckage of the Smiths' rental home.

One neighbor says it's been a constant stream of people coming out to pay their respects to the six children.

“Seeing all the support from the community with the stuffed animals and the balloons and everything kind of helped wrap things up and now seeing these inspectors kinda getting down to the bottom of this can get some kind of closure," said Hipskind, a neighbor.

ABC57 reached out to both investigation firms that were on the scene today for an update on their investigation. They both declined to comment.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security stated that they have no updates at this time.