MADISON, Ind. (WDRB) -- One day after firefighters responded to a house fire and four people died on scene in southern Indiana, investigators were still trying to piece together exactly what happened. 

The home in the 1600 block of East Telegraph Hill Road went up in flames Tuesday afternoon. The four people found inside were pronounced dead at the scene. Indiana State Police investigators said they plan to release the names and ages of the victims soon but were unable to release more information until the investigation is further along.

Pictures from the scene show the charred roof and a burned van in the driveway, along with the remnants of Christmas lights strung across the yard. 

Burned home where 4 found dead in Madison, Indiana

Pictured: this frame grab taken from video shows the charred remnants of a home after a fire in the 1600 block of East Telegraph Hill Road in Madison, Ind., on Dec. 13, 2023. Four people were found dead inside the home. (WDRB image)

ISP is taking the lead on the investigation, working with partners like the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, State Fire Marshal's office, coroner's office and the prosecutor's office. 

Investigators have been using drones and other tools to survey the house and surrounding area. Several items were recovered from the house for further investigation.

Crews responded to the burning home around 4 p.m. Tuesday. The commotion caught the attention of neighbors like Carol Woodfill as the road filled with emergency vehicles with flashing lights. 

"I jumped up and ran into the living room, and I said, 'Oh Bill!' I said, 'The house is on fire! It's nipping at the trees,'" she said. "And there was everybody out here, the fire engines, the ambulance, and police and everybody."

Woodfill said she has seen children playing outside the home in the past. She said she became emotional when she saw the fire and thought about the children. 

The victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

"It's sad," Woodfill said. "But it's people that care. I believe we have a caring community. I do. I believe we have a very caring community, but for this — it's unbelievable. And I guess this time of the year is the biggest part of it, the innocence of the children."

As the investigation continues, ISP investigators haven't confirmed if any of the victims are children. They're working with the coroner to release the names and ages of all the victims as well as their cause and manner of death. 

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles said the investigation is expected to continue for quite some time. 

"It’s the time of the investigation where we really have to slow down," Wheeles said. "And now we really need to make sure we do a thorough investigation because, at the end of the day, unfortunately, families have lost loved ones, and we do owe it to them to provide them with a lot of the answers that they’re having, especially right before the holiday season that we’re in."  

Wheeles said it's too early in the investigation to determine if the fire or deaths are suspicious.

"While we want answers right away, it's going to take some time," he said. "Every investigation is different, so it's hard to put a timeframe on one we're looking at, but, hopefully, we'll be able to provide some of those critical answers sooner rather than later. But, you know, this investigation is probably going to go on for some time."

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