Child Dies in Duplex Fire; Two Suspected of Arson

By Toni Skalican

KALAMAZOO, Mich.--A 3-year-old child died, after a suspected act of arson burnt her house to the ground early this morning; two men have been arrested in connection to the fire, according to officials.
Tiffany Blanchard died of smoke inhalation, according to officials at Bronson Hospital. She and her brothers--5 year old Tory and 6-year-old Terry-- had been trapped in the fire on the second floor of their duplex at 1275 Monroe Street.
Although the Kalamazoo Fire Department presumes the fire was started around 2 a.m., the fire department was not called until 2:10. Two trucks arrived on the scene within 5 minutes, and the fire department released the series of events as follows:
Seven residents to the duplex escaped the building unharmed, despite the buildings' absence of fire detectors.
Two Kalamazoo firefighters on the scene, Sam Walshe of Company 4, and James O'Brian of Company 2, tore a hold in the roof of the duplex to rescue the children from their smoldering home.
The two suspects arrested were Vincent DeNofrio, 33, of Mattawan, and a 16-year-old unidentified juvenile. Witnesses reportedly saw the two running from the duplex at the time of the fire, DeNofrio with a canister in hand.
Investigations are underway to determine whether Tiffany's mother, Marie Blanchard, 32, was the target of arson by DeNofrio, who building residents describe as her "estranged boyfriend."
Tiffany Blanchard died at 3:57 a.m. Tory and Terry were treated for minor injuries, and both boys were released to their mother at 10 a.m.
"The building is at a total loss," said Patricia Clarkson, Deputy Chief of the fire department. Damages have been assessed at $250,000, according to Clarkson.