KOKOMO, Ind. (WTHR) - Investigators say a fire that killed two children in Kokomo on Christmas Eve was an accident.
Investigators believe the fire started in the kitchen after an appliance began sparking.
The fire department says they were alerted two girls were trapped in the burning house as they arrived but as they attempted a rescue the porch collapsed.
By the time they were able to get in and search the house, 12-year-old Lexis Jones and her 10-year-old sister Mercedes had died.
Five other family members, including three children, were hospitalized.
The coroner says the girls died of smoke inhalation and ruled their deaths an accident.
Funeral Services for Lexis and Mercedes will be this Saturday.
Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kokomo.
The funeral service will follow immediately after.
Investigators say they found no evidence the battery powered smoke detectors in the home were working.
