THE FLORA FOUR FIRE
and the deaths of
KEYARA, KERRIELE, KIONNIE & KEYANA
In the early morning hours of November 21, 2016, at approximately 3:30 AM, a fire broke out at the home of Gaylin Rose and her daughters. Gaylin managed to escape the flames, but tragically, her four daughters did not survive. Witness accounts indicate that Gaylin and her daughters were yelling to each other during the fire, suggesting that rescue was possible. Yet, despite their cries for help, it was too late by the time responders reached the girls.
Heartbreakingly, it has been reported that the girls' bodies were held at the Flora Fire Station, laid on the cold concrete floor—a final indignity in a case filled with mishandling and unanswered questions. Early in the investigation, Gaylin herself became a suspect. Allegations were raised, connecting her marijuana use to the fire. Though she was later cleared of any involvement, Gaylin was treated with disdain by law enforcement, particularly by the Indiana State Police (ISP), who remain in charge of the case.
The fire was ruled an arson, with investigators finding evidence of an incendiary liquid intentionally set within the home. Now, eight years later, the case remains unsolved. However, it is critical to revisit the events of that tragic night and address the actions—or inactions—that may have contributed to this devastating loss.
Carroll County Deputy Yoder was the first on the scene. While his determination to help is commendable, it is crucial to note that neither Yoder nor Officer Dissinger, who later joined him, had the proper protective equipment to safely enter a burning structure. Despite this, Yoder attempted to rescue the girls but quickly succumbed to the smoke and collapsed. Dissinger, in a heroic but ill-fated effort, dragged Yoder out of the house, saving his life. This chaotic series of events diverted precious time and resources away from the girls trapped inside. The fact that Gaylin and her daughters were yelling to one another underscores that the girls were alive and could have been rescued, but the delay ultimately cost them their lives.
Yoder and Dissinger were later praised as heroes for their actions, with Yoder sustaining minor injuries that required hospitalization. Meanwhile, Keyara, Keyana, Kerriele, and Kionnie never even made it to a hospital. Their lives ended that night, and their deaths remain a haunting reminder of the system's failure to protect them.
Adding to the controversy, the 911 call from the Flora fire has never been released, even after eight years. This lack of transparency raises questions about potential cover-ups and misconduct within Carroll County, where oversight and accountability appear alarmingly absent. Gaylin Rose and her daughters deserved far better than the negligence and mistreatment they endured—both during and after the fire.
Strong suspicions have arisen regarding the involvement of Brad Holder and Patrick Westfall in orchestrating the arson that claimed the girls’ lives. Their possible role in this tragedy, perhaps alongside others, demands thorough investigation and justice. The handling of this case by law enforcement agencies continues to cast a shadow over a grieving family and a community desperate for answers.
