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Saginaw fire kills woman, injures six others

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Brave teen rescues man from burning Saginaw... ::

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Rebecca Trylch
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SAGINAW (WJRT) -- (08/04/09) -- A house fire at a west side Saginaw home has killed one person and injured at least six others, including three firefighters and two children.

The fire started around 12:45 a.m. Tuesday at a home in the 700 block of Monroe Street near North Webster. When fire crews arrived, they learned several people were trapped inside.

Crews discovered the body of 53-year-old Louann Lemmer in the front room of the house.

At least three others inside the house suffered injuries, including the woman's two grandsons -- Ryan and Brandon Bryce -- ages 8 and 5. The boys were airlifted to Children's Hospital in Detroit where they're listed in critical condition.

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Lemmer's fiancé, 54-year-old John Canfield, was taken to Hurley Medical Center in Flint and is also listed in critical condition.

Family members say Lemmer and Canfield were planning to get married next month.

Investigators still don't know what sparked the deadly fire, but they do know it started in the front of the house. They don't believe it was intentionally set and are looking at the possibility that it was accidental.

Canfield was rescued near the back door where officials believe he was trying to escape the blaze. The two grandchildren were found in the dining room. Witnesses say both were given CPR by the Saginaw Police Department's K9 officer, Joaquin Guerrero, before being airlifted to Detroit.

Family members say the boys have burn injuries and breathing problems, but expect both to recover.

It was a tough situation for firefighters, too. Two of the injured firefighters fell through a porch. Reports indicate all of the firefighter injuries are minor.

"We don't want to see anyone get hurt, but our hearts just go out when we see kids," said Saginaw Deputy Fire Marshal Ralph Martin. "You know, we think about our own kids and the innocence of that."

The two boys were rescued by firefighters, while Canfield was saved by a 17-year-old who was simply trying to do the right thing.

Nino Hayes ran into the burning house after hearing screams for help, pulling Canfield out even though the man was much bigger than he was.

"I was just feeling around for him and he just happened to grab my arm and I just pulled him out the house," Hayes said. "(I) just got the strength from somewhere to pick him up. I don't know where it came from."

Witnesses say Canfield also helped save other lives. When asked if anyone else was inside, he used all his strength to inform them of the other three.

"I just remember seeing him go back there and kick the door open and smoke just came out everywhere," said the teen's mother, TaRaea West. "I was just hoping and praying. When I saw him come out with the man, that was like a double blessing."