There are now four people in critical condition from the house fire that destroyed a Dewitt Township home.
A neighbor called 911 at 3:20 a.m. to report that a family of eight were trapped inside of their burning rental home. The family had escaped by the time firefighters arrived on the scene, but five of them were already severely hurt.
Ann Beach, a surrounding neighbor, saw the family standing outside as the fire burned. She took two of the younger boys into her home while their five injured relatives were taken to a hospital.
"They were running down the street..We took the kids inside to try to calm them down and give them water and try to occupy them", said Beach.
A one-year-old, two-year-old, and the mother were air-lifted to the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center.
One of the neighbors told me that this is one of the most horrific scenes they have ever seen.
"Oh the flames were way up into the trees and the car was catching on fire. It was very tragic and so sad that all of these family members are having to go through this sad situation", said Julie Spalding.
A few neighbors told me they could hear the car engines exploding from a few streets down and thought it was gun shots. They plan on starting a fund and gathering donations to help the family.
"Help the family out in anyway we can financially..Maybe get some clothes for the children", said Spalding.
FOX 47 News spoke to the owner of the home. She said it's too early to comment on the situation but she is very concerned about the family and hopes they will be ok.
The fire chief says this was not arson but an accidental fire. It took firefighters about 45 minutes to put the fire out. We'll let you know as soon as the cause is released and we'll keep you updated on the conditions of the victims.
