A house fire in the southeastern Nebraska village of Nehawka killed six people, including four children. Investigators with the Nebraska State Fire Marshall say the blaze was caused by a fireplace that ignited some carpet and room furnishings in the living room.

The fire was reported shortly after midnight on the morning of October 20 in a two-story residence at 10014 NcKelvie Road in Nehawka. The fire resulted in the deaths of John Speer, age 36, Michelle Speer, age 36, and four young girls, 11-year-old Elli Perez, 7-year-old Adilynn Speer, 5-year-old Emma Speer and 2-year-old Anniston Speer.

A visitation is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Monday at Calvary Christian Church in Bellevue, Nebraska. A memorial service is set to begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

“The continued fire progression led to the collapse of exterior walls and portions of the roof prior to the fire departments arrival,” according to a news release from the Fire Marshall’s Office. “Arriving fire crews were not safely able to make entry into the residence to conduct a search as a result of the wall/roof collapse and extensive fire.”

“Consequently, the smoke produced from the fire, filled the house and led to the death of all six occupants,” according to the release.

During the examination of fire debris the Fire Marshal Investigative Team was unable to locate identifiable parts of smoke detectors. However, interviews conducted indicate that detectors were present, but the condition and function of the battery operated smoke detectors was unclear.

The extensive destruction of the residence as a result of the fire made the recovery of the deceased a lengthy process with the final recovery completed at approximately 7:45 pm on October 20. The autopsies and dental forensic examinations conducted on October 21 confirmed the positive identification of the victims. The preliminary autopsy report indicates the cause of death in all six deceased’s to be smoke inhalation.