Victims of Switzerland Co. Fatal House Fire Identified

All six victims were siblings.

(Versailles, Ind.) - The six victims of yesterday’s fatal house fire in rural Switzerland County, Indiana, the victims have now been identified following autopsies conducted this morning in Madison, Indiana.

The Switzerland County Coroner’s Office has identified the six deceased victims as Paige A. M. Ridener, age 25, James S. Ridener, age 15, Jordan T. Ridener, age 13, Joshua A. Ridener, age 12, Emilee A. Ridener, age 11, and Elizabeth G. Ridener, age 10.

All six victims were siblings. The five youngest siblings lived at the residence while Paige Ridener had recently been staying at the home. Joseph Buchheit, age 33, who was the boyfriend of Paige, was also at the residence when the fire started shortly after 3:00 am on Saturday March 28. Buchheit escaped the home without injury. He attempted to re-enter the home to get to the six victims but was unable to due to the heavy fire and smoke.

The investigation by the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Switzerland County Coroner’s Office is ongoing at this time.

The cause of the fire and the cause of the deaths has not been determined yet although no foul play is suspected at this time.

The family of the victims has been notified.