Assignment after a series of in-class press conferences. Here's my revised version:

FIRE IN OAKWOOD KILLS CHILD

By Sakhi Vyas

KALAMAZOO, Mich – A fire believed to be arson broke out in Kalamazoo’s Oakwood neighborhood, killing one child and injuring two others at approximately 2 a.m. on Nov. 1, according to Kalamazoo Fire Department Deputy Chief Patricia Clarksen.

Following the 2:10 a.m. phone call to the fire department, firefighters arrived on the scene and found that the seven of the ten tenants had escaped the fire. Kalamazoo Fire Department’s Sam Walshe of Company 4 and James O’Brian of Company 2 pulled out the three children trapped on the second floor of the building, according to Clarksen. Tiffany Blanchard, 3, and her brothers Tory, 5, and Terry, 6, were taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital. Tiffany died of smoke inhalation at 3:57am; Tory and Terry were treated for minor injuries and released at 10 a.m., said hospital officials.

Marie Blanchard, one of the tenants, is believed to have been the target of arson by an estranged boyfriend, Vincent DeNofrio, 33, of Mattawan, said Lt. Regina Santarpio.

Witnesses saw DeNofrio and another juvenile, 16, also of Mattawan, running from the building with canisters, according to Santarpio. The two suspects have been arrested and will appear for arraignment tomorrow morning. Police also suspect the use of an accelerant in the fire, though nothing has been proven yet. “There is a nexus between Marie Blanchard, Vincent DeNofrio, and the fire” said Santarpio.

In violation of city codes, smoke detectors were not found in the duplex. Approximately $250,000 in damages resulted from the fire, according to the Fire Department. Further investigation of the cause of fire is in progress under Fire Marshall Sam Johnson.

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