Four young children left home alone were critically injured Wednesday when a fire broke out in their west side Detroit house.
According to a Detroit fire investigator, one neighbor who tried to rescue the children became overcome by smoke and had to be himself rescued. Neighbors had carried one of the children to safety before firefighters arrived.
The fire, which was reported at 6:45 p.m. on Lauder near Schaefer and Fenkell, began in the kitchen of the house but firefighters are unsure how.
The fire is considered accidental, according to the fire investigator.
The children, who are between the ages of 6 and 9, were taken to Sinai Grace and Children's Hospital of Michigan where they were being treated for smoke inhalation and burns. Two other children in the home escaped without being injured.
Distributed by the Associated Press
