A tragic house fire claimed the lives of three children late Sunday, authorities in West Bloomfield Township said.
The victims were identified as a 16-year-old girl and two teen boys aged 15 and 12, perished in the fire that erupted at a home with no smoke detectors.
“Having working smoke alarms gives you that early notification to exit your home,” Fire Marshal Byron Turnquist said.
No adults were found at the home when firefighters arrived and forced their way trying to rescue the victims.
“There was so much smoke on the street we couldn’t even breathe, so imagine children being in the house,” a neighbor said. “I’m sure they couldn’t either.”
One of the deceased teens was a West Bloomfield High School. The two others attended a school outside the district.
West Bloomfield school officials sent a letter to students’ families.
“During this difficult time, it is important that we come together as a community and support the family involved and one another,” the letter reads.
