Autopsy: Smoke inhalation killed 4 kids

TEXAS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - The preliminary autopsy results are in regarding four kids who died in a fire in Kalamazoo County.

The fire occurred April 25 at a home at 6835 N Avenue in Texas Township. Family members speculate the blaze may have started as a result of children playing with a lighter.

Kalamazoo Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Richard Tooker told 24 Hour News 8 the children -- Kianna Bracken, 2, Deontae Vaughn, 4, Zion Bryant, 4, and Daniel Adams, 6 -- died from smoke inhalation.

Investigators are still awaiting final autopsy results.

The Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday that 16 people were inside the house at the time of the fire. Patricia Jordan, who rented the house, was allowing her extended family live there.

Two other people remain hospitalized -- Daniela Adams, 22, and Vernon Bryant, 5.

Doctors informed the family that Adams has severe swelling of her brain. She has not regained consciousness and has been on life support.

Hospital staff said Bryant, who had previously been upgraded to serious condition, was again listed in critical condition because he is using a breathing tube. His mother said she expects he will be fine.

Family members are calling Adams a hero. They say she helped get several of the children out of a window of the burning home before she lost consciousness and had to be rescued by firefighters.

"Whatever was gonna happen to them, was gonna happen to her," Ashley Adams, who survived the fire, said Saturday night.

The house did not have any smoke detectors. Jordan said the detectors were malfunctioning so family members took them down.

In the wake of the blaze, the Texas Township Planning Commission is considering adding or changing some ordinances regarding smoke detectors in rental properties.

Adams' mother, Patricia Jordan, asks that the community keeps the family in their thoughts.

"If you want to do anything for me, pray for me, pray for my family," she said.

If you would like to help the family, donations can be made to the American Red Cross. For more information on how you can help, call the organization at (269) 353-6180.

Funeral arrangements for the children have not yet been finalized.