5 Children Die, 4 Hurt in Michigan Fire

ROYAL OAK TOWNSHIP, Mich. —  A fast-moving fire engulfed a suburban Detroit home, killing five children and injuring four others. The fire was being investigated as an arson, authorities said Friday.

Marie Dean, 39, her eight children and a niece were inside the house when the fire started Thursday night.

Officials identified those killed as Michelle Frame, 11; Talleigha Dean, 10; Craig Dean, 8; Aaron Dean, 7; and Eugene Dean, who turned 6 on Thursday. Two of the injured children were treated and released; two were in serious condition.

Dean is the mother of all the children except Michelle, who was her niece.

Arson is suspected, said Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard. During the day, fire investigators sifted through charred rubble on what once was the front porch, where it appeared that the fire started.

Authorities are offering a $7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the alleged arsonist.

Sheriff’s Deputy Stephen Meech and a neighbor got the mother out of the building and she directed them to the children. The woman was not hospitalized. Meech said he kicked down the back door and found the woman lying just inside, barely conscious.

“She said, ‘My babies are over there, over there,’ ” Meech said.