NECEDAH, Wis. — Six people died in a house fire early Sunday morning. 

The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) said on Sunday, June 30, at about 2:35 a.m., a 911 caller reported a house fire at W5040 Morros Mile Road, in Necedah, Wis.

JCSO, New Lisbon Fire Department, Necedah Fire Department and Mauston Area Ambulance all responded to the scene. JCSO said upon arrival, the house was fully engulfed in flames.

JCSO said multiple people were occupying a driveway near the residence when deputies arrived. Deputies escorted people to a safe distance.

Deputies and fire department personnel were advised a total of six people were unaccounted for, including three adults and three children.

JCSO said the fire departments fought the fire for about three hours and remained at the scene for over 12 hours.

JCSO said six people died as a result of the fire, including three children and three adults. 

Steve Witte, 66, died in the fire. Staff at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Green Bay and Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod President Mark Schroeder said in a joint statement that Steve Witte served as a missionary in Thailand and as a pastor at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church from 2001 to 2009.

Lydia Witte, his 35-year-old daughter, also died in the fire.

Charis Kuehl, the 38-year-old daughter of Steve Witte and sister of Lydia Witte, died in the fire. Stella Kuehl, her daughter, died in the fire. 

Lena and Merci Henselin, Steve Witte's granddaughters, also died in the fire. 

The extended family was staying in a vacation rental near the Wisconsin Dells, their church, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), said. They were holding a get together at the house when the fire broke out. The other family members staying in the home survived.

Family members have shared a GoFundMe on social media accounts. 

“It was such a tremendous loss, that many deaths within the same family,” Rev. Larry Schlomer, WELS World Missions Administrator said.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice and the State Fire Marshal are assisting in the investigation in to the fire. However, JCSO said the fire appears to be accidental at this time. Nevertheless, the investigation is ongoing.