Revision of In-Class Crime Story

FIRE/Caleb Waldron 1

SUSPECTED ARSON KILLS CHILD

By Caleb Waldron

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - A suspected act of arson killed a child and destroyed a duplex early this morning, said officials.

According to Deputy Chief of the Kalamazoo Fire Department Patricia Clarkson, the fire occurred at 1275 Monroe St. at 2 a.m. and was called in at 2:10 am. Fire detectors were not up to code. All 10 of the confirmed tenants escaped the building on their own accord, except for Tiffany Blanchard, age 3, and her brothers Tory, age 5, and Terry, age 6 who were rescued by firefighters and brought to Bronson Memorial Hospital at 3:12 am. According to a spokesperson of Bronson Memorial Hospital, Tiffany died of smoke inhalation at 3:57 am. Tory and Terry were released at 10 am after treatment for minor injuries to their mother Marie Blanchard, 32, of Kalamazoo, Mich.

Marie Blanchard, tenant and mother of the three evacuated children, is believed to be the target of the suspected arson. Accelerants were detected by trained dogs of the fire department, and according to lieutenant Regina Sentarpio of the Kalamazoo Police Department, witnesses say they saw a juvenile holding a canister near the premises prior to the fire.

Vincent DeNofrio, 33, of Mattawan, Mich., and a 16-year-old a juvenile has been arrested in connection to the suspected arson. DeNofrio is suspected to be the estranged boyfriend of Blanchard. “What I can tell you, without hesitation, is that there is a nexus
between Ms. Blanchard, Mr. DeNofrio, the juvenile, and the fire,” said Santarpio. The suspects are scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow at 10 am.

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