Hundreds of people turned out for a service to remember a South Dakota family of six who appear to have died in a house fire.
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Frederick said the school received word this morning that the Westerhuis family had died in a fire.
Charles Mix County Sheriff Randy Thaler said several agencies are investigating the fire.
‘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.
Firefighters were called to the home of Scott and Nicole Westerhuis early Thursday after a passer-by reported the blaze. Scott Westerhuis served as the organization’s business manager for about 15 years, and Nicole Westerhuis served as assistant business manager for about eight years, said Dan Guericke, the cooperative’s director.
‘Scott and his wife grew up here, ‘ Guericke said. The state Department of Education reports the district had 467 students enrolled as of fall 2014.
School counselors, area school counselors from other districts, ministerial staff and other church support are available for counseling or to “give a shoulder to lean on”, at the school.
Platte Volunteer Fire Department Chief Rick Gustad said crews responded to a fire about 5:40 a.m. He said the house was destroyed, but that he couldn’t comment on whether there were any fatalities.
“Our first and foremost concern is sending prayers to the Westerhuis family”, he said.
“They were involved with coaching their teams, worked with their youth groups at church”, he said.
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“#28 Strong” was a common sight at a rally for the Platte-Geddes-Dakota Christian football team as they prepared to leave town for a game in Kadoka on Friday night.
