LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Madison Consolidated Schools is offering grief support after three local children were found dead in a burning home.
The fire happened in a rural area outside of Madison, Indiana on East Telegraph Hill Road Tuesday around 4 p.m. Investigators had a section of the road blocked off outside the home until Thursday.
Authorities said 35-year-old Naomi Briner, Adelia Briner, 12, Leland Briner, 8, and Iyla Briner, 6, were found dead in the home. Naomi Briner is believed to be the children's mother. Indiana State Police said Wednesday that all four had suffered gunshot wounds, but autopsies had not been finalized. No official cause of their deaths have been released.
Police have not said who may be responsible for the shooting or what caused the fire, but ISP said it is not "actively searching for any suspects at this time." No one is in custody.
Madison Consolidated Schools said two of the children attended Rykers' Ridge Elementary School. Leland was in third grade, and Iyla was in first grade and said Adelia was a former student in the district at Lydia Middleton Elementary School and Madison Junior High School.
In a statement Thursday, the district said additional counseling staff and grief support personnel were at the school Wednesday. Students were able to talk with adults "as they try to understand and process their grief."
Clergy members from the community were also on hand as well as LCC K-9 Comfort Dog Ministry with Claudia, Magdalene, Dove and their handlers, who provided additional support for students and staff.
Firefighters found the bodies after responding to the fire at a home on East Telegraph Hill Road. ISP Sgt. Stephen Wheeles called it a death investigation and said ISP is relying on the State Fire Marshal's Office to determine how the fire started.
"While we want answers right away, it's going to take some time," Wheeles said Wednesday morning. "Every investigation is different, so it's hard to put a time frame 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 until we get a good overall picture of what exactly happened."
ISP is taking the lead on the investigation, working with partners including the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, State Fire Marshal's Office, Coroner's Office and the Prosecutor's Office.
Madison Consolidated Schools thanked the neighboring South Ripley and Southwestern School districts for allowing counselors to help their students.
"We ask that our community continue to lift up the Briner family, and the Rykers' Ridge school community, as we continue to navigate this tragic loss," district leaders said.
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- Family of 4 found dead in burning Madison, Indiana, home had gunshot wounds, ISP says
- Investigation underway after 4 people found dead in burning Madison, Indiana home
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