Jennie Runevitch/Eyewitness News
North Vernon - Police are calling for a criminal investigation after a deadly fire killed four family members.
The fire swept through a southern indiana home on Sunday. Monday, the coroner performed the autopsies on three adults and a baby. The deaths stunned residents inthe small town of North Vernon, which is about 50 miles south of Indianapolis.
Investigators now believe the deadly fire that claimed four lives Sunday - four generations of one family - was intentionally set. Their investigation of the tragedy has turned criminal.
"All other areas of the fire were eliminated - the furnace, electrical problems," said Roger Johnson, state fire marshal.
"It's obviously - if we look at multiple avenues here, and if we're looking at something that possibly could be intentional, well, now we've got a criminal matter on our hands and that's the answer to that," said James Webster, North Vernon police chief. "So now we have to look at of all possible suspects and things so it's going to be a little more difficult to get an answer."
The four family members, 72-year-old Helen Dean, her daughter, 42-year-old Elena Hardwick, granddaughter, Erika Hardwick, 23, and 18-month-old great grandson Hunter Hardwick died of smoke inhalation. The family, huddled in their living room, had no chance of survival, firefighters said. Flames engulfed the home within minutes, even as neighbors called 911.
Wilma Clarkson heard two explosions and watched as her neighbor's home erupted in flames.
"I opened the door and all I saw was horrible black smoke clear over - you couldn't even see my tree for black smoke and flames shooting out of the house. It was just a horrible feeling to know there was lives in that house and there was no way, as fast as it went, that they was going to get out," she said.
Helen Dean, Clarkson said, was an invalid incapacitated by a stroke. Her daughter just moved in to care for her and the other family members were are there for a visit Sunday. Now the small community wants to know why someone would want to take four lives.
Police brought in K-9 units to test for accelerants. They are also testing carpet samples, which is protocol for a fire investigation.
The impact on the community is far-reaching, with counseling being provided for firefighters. Visitation is scheduled at the Nazarene Church in North Vernon Tuesday evening. The funeral for all four is set for Wednesday morning in North Vernon.
Police have not named any suspects yet.
