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Woman charged after children allegedly left at home, die in Eastpointe fire

Posted at 5:47 PM, Nov 12, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-12 17:47:47-05

Eastpointe Police say a 28-year-old woman has been charged with several crimes after a house fire earlier this year left three children dead.

The children could not be rescued from the Eastpointe fire due to "heavy smoke conditions," according to fire officials.

Amber Renee Swain, 28, is charged with three counts of second-degree child abuse, according to Deputy Chief Eric Keiser. Swain is being held on $25,000 bond.

Police say at the time of the fire, the children were left home alone in the house. Neighbors tell 7 Action News Swain is the mother of at least two of the children. 

“They were in the upstairs bedroom," said neighbor Edward Spanski. "They carried them out one at a time. Terrible – (it's) just something (you) can’t unsee."

A fire broke out inside their home on March 10, and upon arrival, firefighters were met with thick, heavy smoke conditions. 

They made two rescue attempts but were stopped due to rapidly deteriorating conditions and excessive heat.

The three children – ages 4, 8 and 9 – died at the fire. Officials say they were home alone.