Detroit Cass Tech senior gets help from classmates after deadly house fire

DETROIT – Camyrea Barnes lost her mother and a sibling just days ago in a fire at her home in Detroit.

Her father is in intensive care and Camyrea suffered burns while saving one of her sisters.

The 17-year-old is a standout senior at Detroit Cass Tech High School. She is having her teachers email her homework right to her hospital bed. Her family says it's Camyrea's faith that is supporting the hurting family right now.

At Cass Tech on Wednesday, Camyrea's friends were counting money they've already collected for her. All of Camyrea's clothes also were lost in the fire.

Camyrea wants to rush back to school. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the school orchestra. She has a shot at getting into Harvard University.

"She's going to Harvard. That's what she wants to do and we're going to make sure it happens," said Cass Tech Principal Lisa Phillips.


About the Author:

Local 4 Defender Shawn Ley is an Emmy award-winning journalist who has been with Local 4 News for more than a decade.