Two teenagers killed in Morenci house fire
5/24/2008MORENCI, Mich. - Two teenagers - a boyfriend and girlfriend - were killed and four family members were injured in a house fire early Saturday morning in this Lenawee County community, authorities said.
Jonathon Pike, 18, who lived in the house, and his girlfriend Chelsey Sedlacek, 15, a guest from Weston, Mich., were found dead inside, said Morenci Fire Chief Chad Schisler.
The four burn victims were taken to Fulton County Health Center, Wauseon, and later transported to the burn center at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, the chief said.
Firefighters were dispatched to 333 South East St. at 3:16 a.m. and found the home fully involved in fire.
Mr. Pike's aunt, Robin Pike of Morenci, said the 18-year-old had just gotten home from his freshman year in college.
"His mom is okay, his younger brother had burns and a broken arm, and two older brothers had face burns and burns on their hands," Mrs. Pike said.
Mrs. Pike said two of the family members were taken to the hospital before the fire department arrived.
Mrs. Pike identified the other family members who were injured as Rick Delaney, Jonathon's father; Matt, Jonathon's half-brother; Chris, Jonathon's brother, and Robert, Jonathon's younger brother who is about 10, she said.
Another brother, Jay, and the mother, Penny, were not burned, she said, but suffered smoke inhalation.
The blaze was quickly brought under control but firefighters learned that two people were trapped inside the house, Chief Schisler said. The two that were trapped were the teens that died.
Three additional people in the home at the time of the fire were not injured, the chief said.
"Our preliminary finding is that the fire is accidental," the chief said. "We don't think foul play was an issue."
The fire started on the first floor of the 1,400-square-foot home, which was still standing Saturday but will be declared a total loss, the chief said.
Contact Ignazio Messina at: imessina@theblade.com or 419-724-6171.