Update (01/06/17 10:45 a.m.) — CNN reports the remains of two adults and three children were found buried in the rubble of a suspicious Hubbard, Oregon house fire.
Investigators are working to positively identify the remains, but many suspect the bodies are that of the family that lived at the home, who were previously reported missing.
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Hubbard, Ore. (CNN Newsource/KPTV) — Investigators are trying to figure out the circumstances surrounding a deadly fire in Hubbard, Oregon – south of Portland.
One person was found dead inside the gutted home–but a family of five is missing.
It’s a painstaking investigation. Heavy equipment is being used to pour through the remains of three buildings–a home and two other structures that burned. The family that lives here, now missing.
Lieutenant Chris Baldridge of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said, “So right now, like I said, we don’t know where they are.”
The Kroeker family lived here. Dad Keith and mom Erin; 10-year-old twins Brayden and Luke; and 7-year-old Leia.
Keith’s mother Jackie spoke to KPTV from Dallas, Oregon. “I know that they were strong in their church. I do not know of one person anywhere that disliked any member of the family. They were loved by all.”
Firefighters found one person dead inside earlier in the day, but they haven’t identified the body.
They also haven’t been able to sift through other areas of the burned out structures.
As everyone wonders what happened, family members are waiting for concrete answers.
Jackie Croker said, “We’re… we’re devastated. I will not speculate because I do not know. I would hope and pray that they come driving up and they’ve just been gone. That’s what I’m going to believe until I know otherwise.”
Investigators say it will take time to sift through the debris of all burned buildings on this property.
Authorities say the fire burned through the house and a shop building; however, they are waiting on a search warrant before they go into the family’s detached garage.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says it’s unwilling to guess what they might find in the garage.
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