3 Children Die After House with No Working Smoke Detectors Bursts into Flames

• Three children, a 16-year-old girl and two boys, ages 15 and 12, have reportedly died after a house fire in Detroit on Sunday, Feb. 2

• Officials said there were no working smoke detectors inside the home

• Investigators told CBS News that the children were taken to the hospital before succumbing to their injuries

Three children have reportedly died following a house fire in Detroit, according to reports.

According to the Associated Press, authorities confirmed that the three siblings couldn’t escape the fire that took place on the night of Sunday, Feb. 2.

Byron Turnquist, a fire marshal in West Bloomfield Township, told the outlet that the victims were a 16-year-old girl and two boys, ages 15 and 12.

While one of the victims called 911 to report the fire, investigators reportedly found no working smoke detectors in the property.

“Having working smoke alarms gives you that early notification to exit your home,” Turnquist told the AP.

Investigators told local CBS affiliate WWJ-TV the home was filled with flames when emergency crews arrived, adding that they had to force their way into the home. The three children found inside were taken to a nearby hospital before "all three succumbed to their injuries," investigators said, according to the outlet.

"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 told WWJ.

The AP reported that there were no adults in the home at the time of the incident. The cause of the fire is also currently unknown.

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Neighbor Jewelette Estes described the scene to the AP, saying 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."

According to WWJ, Jewelette also said: "They were pulling bodies out. One, two and three.”

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Meanwhile, another neighbor, Jonathan Estes, told the outlet that he heard a loud explosion before seeing smoke.

"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."

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The West Bloomfield Fire Department previously released a statement on Sunday, Feb. 2, stating that three people had been found in the home.

“This evening just after 8 pm firefighter/paramedics from all 6 West Bloomfield fire stations responded to the scene,” they wrote at the time. “Upon arrival, it was a confirmed structure fire with people trapped inside.”

The AP reported that one of the children attended West Bloomfield High School. A letter from the school read: “During this difficult time, it is important that we come together as a community and support the family involved and one another.”

WWJ also shared a statement from Kelly Coffin, superintendent of Farmington Public Schools, where the other two children attended.

"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," the statement read. "At this time, the fire is an ongoing investigation, and the names of the individuals involved have not yet been released."

The West Bloomfield Fire Department also advised people to test their smoke alarms.

"Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home and in each bedroom. It is also a good idea to plan your escape," the department wrote. "Make sure that everyone knows two ways out."

PEOPLE has contacted West Bloomfield Fire Department, West Bloomfield High School, Farmington Public Schools and West Bloomfield Michigan Police Department for comments.

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