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By Dan Cancian
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A woman and five children of the same family died in a fire at a motel in Michigan.
According to CBS/Fox-affiliated WSBT-TV, the fire engulfed the Cosmo Extended Stay Motel south of Nickerson Avenue in Sodus Township, Berrien County, in southwest Michigan just north of Indiana.
Preliminary reports suggest the woman was 26-years-old, while the child victims were between two and 10. NBC-affiliated WNDU-TV said the woman had been identified as Kierra Samuel.
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The broadcaster reported police as saying a two-year old toddler is currently being treated for injuries in one of the local hospitals, along with several other people.
Officials arrived on the scene at 1:45 a.m. ET on Saturday to find the motel engulfed by flames. All 27 rooms are thought to have been occupied at the time of the fire and the American Red Cross is working to find shelter for the survivors.
Leroy Johnson, who lived in the motel, told the TV station he believes the fire might have started in his room.
"As I woke up my bed was on fire," he was quoted as saying.
"I said 'Oh my God.' I got my sheets and wet them and I tried to throw them on the bed and as I throw it on the bed it didn't work.
"So I asked the person above me for some salt. As I throw salt on there I hurry and jump out and once I jump out the whole room exploded."
The Berrien County Sheriff's Department is leading the investigation into the fire at the motel, which is located about a two-hour drive southwest of Lansing.
The Michigan State Police Fire Marshall Division will also conduct an investigation as the source of the blaze is yet to be determined.
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