Handicapped teen dies in house fire on Detroit's east side

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A 14-year-old handicapped boy is dead after a fire started in his family's home overnight, according to the Detroit Fire Department.

The fire started around 3:30 a.m. in the back of a house in the 11800 block of Riad Street, Near Kelly Road and Whittier Avenue on Detroit's east side.

When fire crews arrived on scene, a 16-year-old girl had already escaped the house and informed crews that her brother, who is in a wheelchair, was trapped inside.

Crews found the teenage boy deceased in the rear bedroom of the house, near where the fire started.

"I just saw the lights flashing and I heard trucks so I went outside and knew it was a fire. I was just praying that no one was hurt," said neighbor Krystal Bass.

Fire crews were able to assist a 52-year-old woman out of the home. She was transported to the hospital where she is listed in critical condition having suffered from smoke inhalation.

"Definitely keep the smoke alarms active, and check them every six months, make sure to test them, because maybe if that would have been alerted, they could have survived that," neighbor Moe Luckett said.

Fire inspectors will continue to investigate the cause of the fire, which has not yet been determined. However, the fire is believed to be electrical related and accidental.