(3-2-23) At 3:38 am on 3/2/23 the Benton Harbor Dept of Public Safety was dispatched to a reported house fire with people trapped inside at Britain Ave and Columbus Ave.

BHDPS units arrived on scene and confirmed a working fire with people trapped. 3 adults and 4 children had escaped prior to arrival of BHDPS units.

An aggressive fire attack took place simultaneously with searches for the trapped victims. Firefighters found two deceased children, ages 3 and 4 inside. Several of the individuals that escaped the fire were also injured in the escape are being treated at Corewell Health St Joseph.

BHDPS was assisted at the scene by Benton Twp. PD and FD, St Joseph DPS, St Joseph Twp FD Station 2, and Medic 1 Ambulance.
The cause of the Fire is under investigation by the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division.

The residence sustained heavy fire damage and is estimated to be a total loss.

The deceased individual’s will be transported to WMED in Kalamazoo for autopsies to determine cause of death. Names of the deceased and family are not being released at this
time.