(CONSTANTINE TOWNSHIP) – A fire early Monday morning claimed the lives of two children.

The Michigan State Police are investigating the fire at a house in the 14,000 block of Timm Road in Constantine Township.

St. Joseph County Central Dispatch received a call of a house fire at 12:24 AM. By the time troopers arrived, the house was fully engulfed in flames. The Constantine and Fabius Township Fire Departments were finally able to extinguish the blaze. Authorities searched the house and found the two children.

Investigators have been working through the night with the fire departments to see if they can determine what caused the fire.

Also assisting at the scene were the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department, the Constantine Police Department and the St. Joseph County Crisis Team.