(WXYZ) — A community is in mourning after two children were killed and their other family members were injured in a Canton Township mobile home fire on Sunday evening.
It happened inside Glen Ridge mobile home community on Haggerty. Officials say the call for the fire came in around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Family members spoke to 7 News Detroit on Monday. They say 3-year-old Emelliah Thomas and 2-year-old Ezekiel Thomas died in the fire. Eremias Thomas, 5, is still in the hospital in critical condition. Their parents, Susan Walsh and Rashard Thomas, were also injured in the fire.
Walsh's sister Laura Nereim shared family photos with us.
“They were my little angels, they were so smart,” said Nereim.”They were angels, they were God’s gift.”
“She lost all her memories of her kids in the house," she said.
Some have already set out stuffed animals in front of the mobile home, sending love to a family that has lost two little ones right before the holidays.
Neighbor Wendy Herdell became emotional talking about the family who lived in the home:
"Three little kids, five and under ... the sweetest. Every time they saw me, they hugged me. I was just talking to them a week ago and now two of them are gone and they've lost everything," said Herdell.
We met Herdell again later while she was holding "Chickee," the dog belonging to the Walsh family. On Monday, Wendy was allowed into the home to look for the dog. The family thought she died in the fire, but Herdell was able to rescue her. She tells 7 News Detroit that she's heartbroken she wasn't able to help save the two young children who lived there, but she's at least grateful to have found Chickee for them.
"We’re just so tore up, they’ve lost everything. We've lived by them for 8 years and they’re a wonderful loving family, we love them like they’re our family and they’ve lost everything and we’re just hoping people can come together to help them," she said.
Fire officials say that there may not have been any working smoke detectors in the home at the time of the fire, which potentially delayed evacuation.
“Yesterday this family, our first responders, and the community suffered a tragic loss,” said Fire Chief Chris Stoecklein in an updated press release. “As we continue to assess the nature of the fire, we must also continue to provide support to the victims and our police and fire personnel. Services have been made available to those affected and we encourage participation for their well-being and healing."
The Canton fire chief said a call like this is every firefighter's nightmare.
"It’s the worst thing that we could encounter," said Chief Stoecklein. "This is a big deal for our department. We haven’t had a loss here in a very long time."
The chief said it's been 30 years since firefighters have experienced a loss like this.
He said when firefighters arrived, flames had already engulfed the home.
We're told the structure is a total loss. The children's uncle says the family does not have home insurance.
A GoFundMe has been created for the family to help with funerals and other expenses. Click here to read more or donate.
"It moves fast. Right? Inside these mobile homes, fire moves rapid," he said.
Mental health experts are being made available to the rescuers who responded to this call Sunday night.
Right now, it’s believed the two children passed from smoke-related injuries, but the medical examiner will have to confirm the cause of death.
The chief had this message for the family of the victims: "We’re here to support you. Your tragedy is our tragedy. We feel for you and will continue to pray for you."
