The community of Spearfish awoke to tragedy Saturday morning, when an early morning house fire claimed the lives of five children, ages 6-11.
The fire was reported at 4:23 a.m. at a multifamily residence at 1135 Ames St., on the corner of Ames and Oliver streets.
Neighbors and authorities describe the structure as a two-story house, with an apartment attached at the back, where multiple families lived. By midmorning, all that remained of the home was the sagging, ashen remains of what was once a home. Authorities had first confirmed four fatalities as of 9 a.m. but later said there was a fifth victim. All five victims were children between the ages of 6 and 11 years old.