Fire that killed 4 Indiana girls started in home's kitchen

FLORA, Ind. (AP) - Investigators have yet to determine what caused a fire that killed four young sisters at their central Indiana home this week because of the amount of damage to the building.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security determined that Monday's fire originated in the kitchen of the family's apartment, possibly behind a refrigerator. The investigation into the fire's cause is ongoing.

The four girls died from smoke inhalation, according to preliminary findings. Their mother was airlifted from the scene, and two law enforcement officers who tried to rescue the children were injured in the fire in the town of Flora, about 60 miles north of Indianapolis.

The girls' mother, Gaylin Rose, was in critical but stable condition at an Indianapolis hospital on Wednesday. A candle light vigil was held in honor of the four sisters Tuesday evening.

"We applaud the efforts of first responders from Carroll County," said Jim Greeson, Indiana's state fire marshal. "Officers and firefighters from Carroll County departments distinguished themselves with their sacrifice and commitment to protecting the public."

Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy Drew Yoder suffered burns to his hands and forehead, along with smoke inhalation, during the rescue attempt. Flora Police Officer Josh Disinger, who pulled Yoder to safety, also was injured by smoke inhalation.

Yoder remained hospitalized Wednesday, but was able to write a note to Disinger to thank him, WXIN-TV reported. Disinger was released from a hospital Monday night.

"Drew wrote this to me today," Disinger said on social media. "It means far more to me than any plaque or award I have received in my life. And I will cherish it as such!"