The Monroe County Sheriff's Office says one person has died and another person is in critical condition after an early morning house fire.
Deputies originally told 7 Action News two people had died, but later amended the statement.
Monroe Twp. fire officials say an 18-year-old man was killed in the fire.
Lt. Calvin Schmitt says they were called to the home on Tiara Avenue off Dunbar just down the street from Monroe Community College around 1:30am.
When firefighters arrived, the home was engulfed with the second story already collapsing and flames shooting through the front door.
Lt. Schmitt says the 18-year-old was trapped in an upstairs bedroom and firefighters were unable to get inside the home because the conditions were too dangerous.
We're told four other family members were able to get out; a grandmother, grandfather, mother and 16-year-old girl.
We're told their names are Amelia Castorena, Ruben Castorena, Monica Johnson and Jessica Johnson.
Lt. Schmitt says the grandfather was taken to St. Vincent's Medical Center in Toledo and was admitted to the burn unit. He is currently listed in critical condition.
The grandmother, mother and 16-year-old were not injured.
Firefighters do not know what caused this fire, but they believe it started on the first floor.
The Michigan State Fire Investigation Unit is working with Monroe Twp. investigations to determine the cause.
Firefighters say the structure is considered unstable and they do not know if the home had working smoke alarms.
Neighbors say the family has lived there for nearly 13 years and describe them as nice people, very friendly.
The 18-year-old victim, Alex Johnson, was a student at Monroe Public Schools. He was a junior in special education classes at Monroe High School. The district issued the following statement regarding his death:
“Our Monroe Public Schools family is devastated by the loss of one of our students,” Dr. Barry Martin, district superintendent said. “It is always difficult to lose a student, but the loss is particularly tragic around the holidays. Our thoughts are with Alex’s family as well as our staff and students at Monroe High School.”
MPS says Counselors will be available to students at the school.
Stay with wxyz.com for updates on this developing story.
