In the early hours of November 21, 2016, a fire tore through a home at 103 East Columbia Street in Flora, Indiana, killing four sisters who were asleep inside: Keyana Davis (11), Keyara Phillips (9), Kerrielle McDonald (7), and Kionnie Welch (5).
Their mother, Gaylin Rose, survived but suffered serious injuries as firefighters pulled her from the burning house.
First responders arrived to a scene that officials have described as fast-moving and chaotic. In addition to Rose’s injuries, two police officers were hurt while assisting at the scene.
The children were later pronounced dead, and what initially looked to some like a devastating accident soon became something far more disturbing.
Investigators ultimately determined the blaze was intentionally set and the deaths were ruled homicides.
According to information released through the investigation, fire investigators concluded the cause was arson, and that finding was later subjected to an external peer review by another fire investigation team.
Nearly a decade later, the case remains unsolved.
As of late 2025, Indiana State Police continue to list the Flora fire as an active homicide investigation and say they are still seeking information.
A reward of up to $5,000 remains available for tips leading to an arrest and conviction.
So to your question—yes, the entire group in the house that night who died were the four sisters, and no, authorities have not announced an arrest or publicly identified a charged suspect in their murders.
The official position remains that this was a deliberate act of arson that killed Keyana Davis, Keyara Phillips, Kerrielle McDonald, and Kionnie Welch, and the person responsible has not been brought to justice.
