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Couple found dead after fire breaks out at apartment complex in Westland

Posted at 8:37 AM, Apr 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-30 17:10:33-04

Two people have been reported dead after a fire broke out at a three-story apartment complex in Westland overnight.

The fire was first noticed at around 11 p.m. Saturday night at the Westland Villa Apartments.

Officials said the fire started because a man on a second floor cooked chicken tenders on the stove and fell asleep. He woke up to his kitchen on fire and ran out of the apartment, and sustained second and third degree burns.

Westland Fire Marshal Kelly Eggers said there were multiple rescues, people jumped and eight were transported to the hospital. 

Ben Kelly, 27, and Lisa Back, 21, lived on the third floor and were engaged to be married. Their wedding was supposed to be in October.

Firefighters were not able to do a thorough search initially because the roof had collapsed and it was dark, so the building was not stable.

They checked back later when there was more daylight and the couple was eventually found under a pile of rubble, Eggers said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to support the victims' families.  You can donate here.