m139

UPDATED – 5:26pm – 7-29-18

Autopsies were performed on all six victims on Sunday July 29, 2018 at the
Western Michigan University Stryker School of Medicine.

The autopsies confirmed all six individuals died as a result of “smoke
inhalation”

UPDATED – 9:42pm – 7-28-18

Victims identified:

  • Kiarre Curtis, age 26
  • Marquise Thompson, age 10.
  • Gerome Randolph, age 7
  • Samuel Curtis, age 5
  • Savod Curtis, age 4
  • Avery Curtis, age 2

Four individuals, four first responders were taken to Lakeland Medical Center for smoke inhalation and released. This includes Curtis husband Samuel (36) and a one year old child.

The Michigan State Police Fire Marshall Division and the United States Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Firearms Division have completed their on-scene investigation into
the “Cause & Origin” of this fatal fire.
The preliminary results of this “cause & origin” investigation did not reveal the
presence of an accelerants or illegal narcotic manufacturing.
Further forensic testing will be conducted on samples taken from room #135, on
the first floor of the motel, where the investigators have determined the origin of
the fire had started.
The preliminary findings of the Michigan State Police Fire Marshall Division and
the United States Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Division indicate this fire was
accidental.
The Berrien County Sheriff’s Office also contracted with a private security
company out of the Grand Rapids area to test the fire alarm & smoke detector
system of this motel.
No information on the fire alarm & smoke detector system analysis is available at
this time, as the contracted company has to do some forensic testing on the
system.
The victims of this tragic incident were not residing in the room, where the cause
and origin indicates the fire had started. The victims were residing on the second
floor of this motel.
Autopsies are scheduled for the six victims on Sunday July 29, 2018, to
determine the “cause of death”, which is believed to be due to smoke inhalation.

Hotel Fire