5 children, 1 adult dead in southern Indiana house fire were siblings

VEVAY, Ind. (AP) — Six people who died in a Saturday morning fire in southern Indiana were siblings, the youngest just 10 years old.

The Switzerland County Coroner’s Office has identified the six deceased victims as Paige A. M. Ridener, age 25, James S. Ridener, age 15, Jordan T. Ridener, age 13, Joshua A. Ridener, age 12, Emilee A. Ridener, age 11, and Elizabeth G. Ridener, age 10.

The five youngest siblings lived at the residence, and Paige had been staying there recently, according to Indiana State Police.

Paige’s boyfriend, 33-year-old Jospeh Buchheit, was also at the home on Lewis Drive in rural Switzerland County when the fire started. He escaped without injury and attempted to go back inside to get to the siblings but was prevented by heavy fire and smoke, ISP said.

Indiana State Police and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office are leading the investigation into the fire, though officials added that foul play was not suspected.