Three youths dead as a result of injuries during West Bloomfield Township house fire
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) – Three youths died as a result of a fire Sunday night in a West Bloomfield home.
The victims were a 16-year-old female, a 15-year-old male, and a 12-year-old male, according to a report filed by West Bloomfield Fire Marshal Byron Turnquist.
Investigators found no working smoke alarms in the home and confirmed that the parents were not home at the time.
The fire at a home in the 5500 block of Pembury Lane was reported shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday. According to the 911 call to West Bloomfield Communications Center, the residents of the home were unable to get out.
Neighbors say they are in shock. They say one or more of the children may have had special needs.
"They were pulling bodies out. One, two and three," said Jewel Estes. "There was so much smoke on the street, we couldn't even breathe so imagine children being in the house. I'm sure they couldn't either."
Firefighter paramedics from all six West Bloomfield fire stations, along with police, responded to the scene, the report said. Bloomfield Township Fire Department also assisted on the scene.
Investigators say when emergency crews arrived at the scene, flames filled the home with intense heavy smoke and they had to force their way inside. Firefighter paramedics found the three children and took them to nearby hospitals; however, "all three succumbed to their injuries," the report said.
"Two of them were located on the first floor, and one was recovered from the second floor of the home. The fire was contained to the first floor of the residence," Turnquist said.
Jonathan Estes says he heard an explosion and saw smoke and rushed to help.
"I was banging on the door. I didn't hear anything. It looked like all the lights were out," he said. "It was just a lot of smoke in the street, you couldn't see like three houses down. My initial concern was guilt because I didn't think anybody was in the house. There were packages on the porch."
"From the time we called the police to the time they got here, it was already too late," said Jewel Estes.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The West Bloomfield Fire Department recommends residents install smoke alarms on every floor of a house, test smoke alarms monthly and replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old. In addition, families should discuss and practice an escape plan should there be a fire.
Kelly Coffin, superintendent of Farmington Public Schools, where two of the children were students, issued the following statement to families:
"It is with a heavy heart and tremendous sadness that we share that two FPS students were fatally injured in a house fire last night (2/2/2025) along with a sibling who attended a school outside our district. At this time, the fire is an ongoing investigation, and the names of the individuals involved have not yet been released.
"A tragedy like this impacts all of us differently and the grief we feel can manifest in many ways. Sometimes, a traumatic incident can trigger past losses. It is okay to acknowledge these ... During difficult times, we remind students it can be helpful to connect with an adult they trust. We have arranged for our FPS Social Emotional Support Team to be available to our students and staff. They will be available to support students on a drop-in basis at the schools affected during the school day throughout the week. If you notice that your child(ren), or any others, need additional support, please inform their counselor or any mental health staff.
"During this difficult time, it is important that we come together as a community and support the family involved and one another. The most important thing we can do is love our kids and one another."
"Hug your loved ones and let them know you are there for them.