Oakwood Arson/Kellner 1
FIRE DESTROYS OAKWOOD DUPLEX
By Jamie Kellner
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- A suspected arson that started at 2 a.m. destroyed the duplex at 1275 Monroe St. causing the death of a child and $250,000 worth of damage, according to fire officials. Firefighters from companies two and four responded within five minutes of being called to find that most of the tenants were out of the building. Three children were still inside on the second floor and were rescued by Samuel Walshe of Company 4 and James O’Brian of Company 2.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but fire officials have said that arson is suspected and an accelerant was found at the scene. Vincent DeNofrio, 33, of Mattawan, and a juvenile also from Mattawan were seen running from the building with an unidentified canister around midnight according to police. Police believe there is a connection between DeNofrio and Marie Blanchard, the apparent target of the fire whose children were rescued by firefighters.
“There is a definite nexus between Vincent DeNofrio, Marie Blanchard, and the fire,” said Lt. Regina Santarpio of the Kalamazoo Police Department.
The three children, Tiffany, Tory, and Terry Blanchard were taken to Bronson Memorial Hospital and admitted to the emergency room at 3:12 a.m. Tiffany succumbed to smoke inhalation and was pronounced dead at 3:57. Her brothers were released to their mother’s custody at 10 a.m. this morning having been treated for minor injuries.
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3 comments:
haha, I only had 8 posts when she told us we needed 10, so I scrambled for two more! What can I say.. I'm a nervous freshman.. lol
I think this is an interesting way of structuring the article. I like that you put the hospital information at the end; it gives a different emphasis to the piece, concentrating more on the investigation.
I thought you did a good getting all of the information into your lede--it was very clear and concise. I also liked the placement of the children's health information at the end of the story. It was a very good way to close it.
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