Family of four trapped in a house fire die

Fire investigators are still looking into the cause of a fire at a Yemans home that killed a family of four.

 
By Charles Sercombe
Paczki Day got off to a tragic start early Tuesday morning.
Shortly before 2 a.m. a fierce fire broke out in a home in the 5000 block of Yemans, killing a husband and wife and their two young sons.
At press time fire officials were still trying to determine the cause of the fire.
The victims have been identified by neighbors and other sources as James and Freddye (Dee) Parker, both 47, and their two sons, James Jr., 11, and Jarrad, 7.
The family is survived by two adult daughters, both of whom are in college.
According to Fire Chief Paul Wilk the fire appeared to have broken out in the rear stairwell. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was already engulfed in flames.
Wilk said that when firefighters went to the rear of the house, the stairwells were already destroyed. Plus, he said, “There was stuff everywhere. You know how Hamtramck porches are.”
Going through the front door, firefighters discovered the second floor ceiling had collapsed, which further delayed getting access to the second floor where the victims were trapped.
Wilk said that had firefighters entered just minutes before, they would have been injured, or worse, when the ceiling fell.
It has been about a year years since Hamtramck has recorded a fire fatality.

James and Freddye (Dee) Parker were involved in little league football for many years. An online fundraiser is raising money to help pay for their funeral as well as for their two young sons.

James Parker was the third generation of his family to live in this house. He was also known as “Coach Ray” and coached little league football for many years.
“He was a great coach,” said Titus Walters, who knew the family.
Wilk said James and his wife were trying to escape at the time of their death. He said it appears both were overcome by smoke, but an autopsy has yet to be performed to determine the exact cause.
The house had been converted from a two-family to a one-family house.
Detroit firefighters assisted Hamtramck with combating the blaze, which took about three hours to extinguish. Although it was bitterly cold, somewhere near one degree, Wilk said it did not hamper firefighters.
However, it could have been a factor. One nearby fire hydrant was frozen, but there was another one close by that functioned.
At press time on Thursday there was talk of a vigil being held on this Saturday. There were no other details.
The Detroit Police Athletic League has set up an online fundraiser, at www.gofundme.com/parkerfamily, to help with funeral expenses. So far, over $6,000 has been raised.