Grandma's letter about Texas Twp fire

TEXAS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - Patricia Jordan, the grandmother of the four children who died in a April 25 Texas Township fire, wrote to 24 Hour News 8. Below is the copy of the letter she sent.  A family spokeswoman read the letter on camera.

     =====

On Saturday, April 25, 2009, four children under the age of 8 perished in the worst fire in the history of Kalamazoo. 3 year old Kianna Bracken, her 4 year old brother Deontae Vaughn, 6 year old Daniel Adams, and their first cousin, 4 year old Zion Bryant were all lost.

Another child, 5 year old Vernon Bryant, Zion’s older brother remains hospitalized at Bronson. He is improving. The mother of three of the siblings, 22 year old Daniela Adams is also hospitalized and clinging to life at Bronson.

Kianna was full of life, a very happy and adventurous three year old. She would brighten your day with her smile and always express her love with the biggest hug and kiss. Kianna, a highly intelligent and caring young jewel, was capable beyond her years.

Deontae loved spending time with his family whom he has touched in a special way throughout his short yet memorable life. His gentle smile can melt the hearts of those around him. With his laughter and smile he led everyone to believe that each day is a blessing and an opportunity to create lasting memories.

Daniel was very happy and all boy who loved bike riding, basketball and all things Spiderman. He loved playing on the computer and would sometimes play video games for hours. He was a loving big brother. Daniel would never get a snack for himself or a drink without making sure that if he got a Popsicle, all the kids got a popsicle.

Zion was a sweet baby. Though, Zion lived a short time on earth, his life was a happy life filled with love, fun and care. Zion truly loved his mother and never wanted to leave her side. He was a very affectionate child. He gave out hugs and kisses generously, and told everyone “I love you.”

The fire began around 7:00 am in the family home at 6835 West N Avenue. 22 year old Daniela Adams, mother of 5 children did not leave the house of her own volition. She was sleeping in a back bedroom when the fire broke out. According to her 17 year old brother, Christopher, she would not leave saying; “I am not going to leave until the children are out.” She ran down the hall fighting through the suffocating smoke, intense heat and blazing fire to get to the room where seven of the children were trapped. Her feet were burned, her legs were burned, both arms, stomach, chest and back were terribly burned. She never stopped.

There was a feeling of static time not matching the frenzied activity Saturday morning as neighbors and onlookers watched in horror and sadness. Daniela Adams was frantically leaning in and out of the 1st floor window, her face darkened with soot. A cloud of black smoke billowing from inside the room; the house was ablaze. Witnesses saw Daniela lean outside the window determinedly filling her lungs with air, retreating into the room and returning, each time handing a child into the arms of terrified 17-year old Christopher. The family was fighting to save the lives of the children. Daniela leaned out once again. She took a deep breath. Again Daniela disappeared inside the smoke-filled room, amidst the blazing fire to search for children. Daniela did not realize she was being heroic. She was being a loving aunt. She was being a loving mother who did what she had to do. She did not come to the window again.

When Caroline White, the children’s great aunt arrived the scene was organized chaos and pandemonium. There was the fire and the children and the adult family members in the yard. There was crying. There was screaming. There was anguish. Caroline charged ahead administering CPR to the children; fiercely determined to save them all. Then one child went cold. Someone declared another was not breathing. Caroline moved to the child and found a pulse. She continued to work.

Dr. Rensch, an anesthesiologist at Bronson, and his wife had happened by the scene in their car. They stopped. Dr. Rensch joined Caroline and emergency workers to do what they could. His wife began to corral the older children, attempting to administer comfort and calm. The next door neighbor ushered ambulatory family into her home to shield them from the suffering.

The professionals worked. Daniela was pulled from the burning home. The smoke began to subside; all the injured were rushed to treatment. As the smoke cleared, family members recall a stunning scene. Overwrought firefighters, emergency medical professionals and public safety officers were sobbing, just sitting on the ground and sobbing. The sight was overwhelmingly sad. Ten children under the age of 8 were in the house at the time of the tragedy. All were family. Six children were saved.

There was no shortage of bravery or compassion on Saturday. A man in a utility truck with the ladder and stopped to help. The doctor and his wife stopped. There was also a neighbor offering comfort in her home. There were emergency medical workers and there were officers.

Daniela Tinnisha Adams was born August 29, 1986. She is a mother of five. Daniela Adams fought to deliver all her family from danger.

But, despite a heroic effort and total disregard for her own life, 3 of her five children, Daniel Adams, Kianna Bracken, Deontae Vaughn and their cousin, Zion Bryant were lost; succumbing to smoke inhalation. On Saturday, Daniela was rushed to Bronson suffering from smoke inhalation and 3rd degree burns. Daniela is now fighting for her life. She is a hero.

Funeral services for the four children will be held on Monday, May 4, 2009 at Christian Life Center, 1225 West Patterson. The Wake will be held at the church at 11:00 am with the funeral following at 12:00 noon.

The community has rallied to support the family offering prayers, shelter and other assistance. The family would like to thank the many different community organizations, friends, relatives, and concerned individuals, for their prayers and support during this trying time. “We have received so much help during this time I will not even try to list the numerous names. We would like to say God Bless everyone, and please continue to pray for our family,” Patricia Jordan, grandmother.

The family has opened a memorial fund at First Community Federal Credit Union in the names of the four children whose lives were lost and their siblings in this tragedy.