Eight people, including six children, were found dead inside a home in Grand Haven Township, Michigan, on Friday after firefighters responded to a house fire that authorities have described as suspicious.

Emergency crews from the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office and the Grand Haven Fire Department were dispatched to the residence shortly before noon after receiving reports of smoke coming from the home. As firefighters entered the building to extinguish the blaze, they discovered the bodies of two adults and six children inside.

Investigators later confirmed that some of the victims had sustained gunshot wounds, although officials have not disclosed how many or identified which victims were shot. The children ranged in age from 5 to 15 years old, while the two adults were believed to be in their 40s. Authorities said formal identification of the victims and the determination of their causes of death are pending autopsy results.

Ottawa County Sheriff's Office Capt. Jacob Sparks described the investigation as a "complicated" and "complex" case. He said detectives are not currently searching for any outside suspects, noting that investigators believe everyone involved in the incident was inside the home. One of the leading theories being examined is a possible murder-suicide, although officials stressed that the investigation remains in its early stages.

Authorities also believe the fire may have been intentionally set. The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit has joined the investigation to determine the cause and origin of the blaze, while forensic specialists continue processing the scene.

Officials revealed that firefighters had initially responded to reports of the smell of smoke in the neighborhood earlier in the morning but were unable to locate the source. Several hours later, additional emergency calls reported visible white smoke coming from the residence, prompting a second response that led to the discovery of the fatalities.

The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office said additional information, including the identities of the victims and the results of autopsies, will be released once family members have been notified and forensic examinations are completed. Authorities have urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact investigators as the inquiry continues. (ILKHA)