Child dies, 2 others hurt in house fire

LEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - A 2-year-old boy was killed and two other children were hurt in a house fire early Thursday morning.

Fire crews responded to the blaze at around 12:30 a.m. in the 1100 block of 58th Street in Allegan County's Lee Township. The house was engulfed in flames when crews arrived.

There were nine people in the house at the time of the fire. Relatives were visiting the homeowners, officials said.

The family had lit candles in the living room because there was no electricity, according to fire investigators. Family members left the candles burning after they went to bed, Michigan State Police Lt. John Slenk told 24 Hour News 8. However, investigators have not concluded the candles were the cause of the fire.

One person discovered the blaze and alerted the others.

In the family's rush to evacuate the home, they mistakenly thought 2-year-old Scott Ray Bogseth had been taken outside. Despite rescue attempts, no one could save him. Officials did not elaborate on his death, saying he died as a result of the fire.

There were four other children in the home, family said. Autumn Alvarado, 5, suffered third-degree burns and was taken to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. Four-month-old Briella Bogseth was treated and released at the hospital for smoke inhalation. Bianca Alvarado, 1, and 9-year-old Alex Shepherd were not injured.

The adults in the home were not injured.

The Greater Kalamazoo Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the family. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized.