South Dakota family killed in mystery house fire

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Firefighters were called around 5:30 a.m. to the home of Scott and Nicole Westerhuis in South Dakota
The children killed were Kailey, a third-grader; Jaeci, a fifth-grader; Connor, an eighth-grader; and Michael, a high school sophomore
The cause of the blaze is unknown at this time

By Associated Press and Alexandra Klausner For Dailymail.com

Published: 17:55 EST, 17 September 2015 | Updated: 12:04 EST, 19 September 2015

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An early-morning fire engulfed a rural home in South Dakota where a couple and their four children lived, leaving multiple people dead, authorities said on Thursday.

Charles Mix County Sheriff Randy Thaler said firefighters were called around 5:30 a.m. to the home of Scott and Nicole Westerhuis, about 3 miles south of Platte, about 110 miles west of Sioux Falls. A preliminary investigation revealed 'multiple victims,' but they are not yet identifiable, Thaler said.

Platte-Geddes School District Superintendent Joel Bailey said local agencies informed him on Thursday morning that the couple and the children, who attended school in the small district, died in the fire.

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Dead: The children killed were Kailey (center), a third-grader; Jaeci (far left bottom row), a fifth-grader; Connor (far left top row), an eighth-grader; and Michael (top row center), a high school sophomore. Their parents Scott (top row second from right) and Nicole Westerhuis (far right)

Charles Mix County Sheriff Randy Thaler said firefighters were called around 5:30 a.m. to the home of Scott and Nicole Westerhuis, about 3 miles south of Platte

The family was known for their athleticism and they contributed to the health and well-being of those around them. here Scott and Nicole pose with Connor and Michael in their sports jerseys

He said the students killed were Kailey, a third-grader; Jaeci, a fifth-grader; Connor, an eighth-grader; and Michael, a high school sophomore.

Scott and Nicole Westerhuis worked for Mid-Central Educational Cooperative, a Platte-based education organization that provides speech, language and hearing services to several area school districts.

Scott Westerhuis served as the organization's business manager for about 15 or 16 years, and Nicole Westerhuis served as assistant business manager for about 8 years, said Dan Guericke, the cooperative's director.

Both were great people and highly valued employees, he said.

The couple attended Northern State University in Aberdeen and returned to Platte sometime after graduation.

'Scott and his wife grew up here,' Guericke said. 'Their parents were here. They came back to raise their children here.'

All Platte-Geddes students were dismissed after school officials learned of the tragedy. The state Department of Education reports the district had 467 students enrolled as of fall 2014

Aftermath: On Thursday dozens of firemen, investigators and Division of Criminal Investigation agents combed through what was left of the Westerhuis' home. Smoke billowed out of the scraps of material- all that was left of the home

Tragic loss: Platte-Geddes School District Superintendent Joel Baile was informed on Thursday morning that the couple and the children (pictured), who attended school in the small district, died in the fire

Honoring his memeory: Connor, a fifth grader, will be missed by members of his community who gathered on Thursday night for a vigil

Bailey said school counselors from the district and surrounding areas, along with local church youth group leaders, were on hand at the schools to help students, teachers and staff with their grief.

'I can be proud of the way everybody came together and supported the students and faculty,' Bailey said.

No more: Michael (pictured) who died in the fire was a high school sophomore and talented athlete

Guericke said the Westerhuises were an extremely solid, close-knit family.

'They were involved with coaching their teams, worked with their youth groups at church,' he said.

'They were very involved with their children.'

Thaler said the South Dakota Fire Marshal, South Dakota Department of Criminal Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Platte fire and police departments are assisting with the investigation into the blaze.

On Thursday dozens of firemen, investigators and Division of Criminal Investigation agents combed through what was left of the Westerhuis' home, reports Keloland.

'Heartbroken. I can't imagine the loss,' family friend Kristina Sprik said.

'It's going to be a very big hole in my kids lives and in this town's hearts.

They were involved in a lot of stuff with kids. Say your prayers know that they're together in heaven.'

Hundreds of people in the Platte community came together at the Christian Reformed Church Thursday night for a vigil honoring the Westerhuis family.

'It really does affect everyone. When you hear something this tragic the whole town is going to know almost instantly,' Platte Senior Alex Gerlach told KSFY.

'It was very quiet, we all came together as a school…and that was when we found out that everyone had passed away and everyone just immediately started weeping,' Gerlach said.

'It was very quiet, we all came together as a school…and that was when we found out that everyone had passed away and everyone just immediately started weeping,'Platte Senior Alex Gerlach said