CONSTANTINE TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Two children were killed after a fire broke out at a structure in St. Joseph County.
Michigan State Police are investigating the deadly fire along the 14000 block of Timm Road in Constantine Township, just eight miles north of the Indiana border.
According to troopers, the fire claimed the lives of a 3-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy.
State police say the mother of the children was injured in the fire, but those injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. She also declined medical treatment.
St. Joseph County dispatch received calls of the fire around 12:24 a.m. Monday. When the first trooper arrived on the scene, the structure was fully engulfed in flames.
Michigan State Police confirmed the fire occurred at a structure on the property and not the home.
The St. Joseph community has stepped up to help the family during this difficult time by setting up a PayPal link.
"The money, 100% of the money is being donated to the family but it is going to be in the form of either gift cards or clothes and food, or we will be passing that along to the funeral home to be helping with the expenses for the children," said St. Joseph County United Way Executive Director Kelly Hostetler.
The cause and origin of the fire have not been determined at this time.
Michigan State Police is asking anyone with information to contact the MSP Marshall Post at (269) 558-0500 or Crime Stoppers at (574) 288-STOP.
Investigators worked through the night along with local fire departments at the scene.
St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department, Constantine Police Department, Constantine and Fabius Township Fire Departments, and the St. Joseph County Crisis Team are working together.
