MARCH 14, 2015
PORTAGE, MICH. (NEWSCHANNEL 3)
Right now, investigators are picking up
the pieces after a home exploded in Kalamzoo County Friday afternoon.
"We're going to need some help, definitely going to need some help; we have to start over," said fire victim Breanne Lemmer.
Desperation and concern were evident on the face of Donna Lemmer, as she watched firefighters, some in HAZMAT suits, rifling through what's left of her house on Meadow Street, in Portage.
Four teenagers were inside the house when the fire broke out Friday afternoon.
Breanne Lemmer ran into her mother's arms; she told Newschannel 3 that her friend had been cooking food when the flames erupted.
Her friend was set on fire, and others were forced to jump out windows.
"I helped my friend real quick, she put him out, he was on fire and I ran and jumped out the window," Breanne said.
Men in HAZMAT suits searched the house while elsewhere, Kalamazoo County Sheriff's deputies went through the garbage.
We're told it's routine to look for any signs of meth after a house explosion, but investigators were careful to stress that this doesn't mean this fire had anything to do with the drug.
"I'm trying to stay calm right now, but literally everything that I own or have is in that house," Donna said.
One person remains in the hospital Friday night for burns suffered in the fire.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
"We're going to need some help, definitely going to need some help; we have to start over," said fire victim Breanne Lemmer.
Desperation and concern were evident on the face of Donna Lemmer, as she watched firefighters, some in HAZMAT suits, rifling through what's left of her house on Meadow Street, in Portage.
Four teenagers were inside the house when the fire broke out Friday afternoon.
Breanne Lemmer ran into her mother's arms; she told Newschannel 3 that her friend had been cooking food when the flames erupted.
Her friend was set on fire, and others were forced to jump out windows.
"I helped my friend real quick, she put him out, he was on fire and I ran and jumped out the window," Breanne said.
Men in HAZMAT suits searched the house while elsewhere, Kalamazoo County Sheriff's deputies went through the garbage.
We're told it's routine to look for any signs of meth after a house explosion, but investigators were careful to stress that this doesn't mean this fire had anything to do with the drug.
"I'm trying to stay calm right now, but literally everything that I own or have is in that house," Donna said.
One person remains in the hospital Friday night for burns suffered in the fire.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation.