NOVI, Mich. – The Novi police chief said a preliminary investigation into Sunday's house fire which claimed the lives of five people suggests this was an accidental fire.
During a news conference Tuesday morning, Chief David Molloy said four of the five victims -- all males -- have been identified. Their ages range from 16 to 23. They are all natives of Mexico who reportedly worked at Kim's Garden, a Chinese restaurant in Novi Town Square.
Authorities say they have identified four of the five victims. They are 18-year-old Leonel Rodriguez, 23-year-old Miguel Diaz, 16-year-old Brayan Contreras and 18-year-old Simeon Nunez.
Molloy said the preliminary results of autopsies conducted Monday suggest all of the victims died due to smoke and soot inhalation. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but the police chief said all indications suggest it was accidental.
"We cannot rule out careless smoking," said Molloy.
The owner of the Kim's Garden, Roger Tam, also owns the house, where the victims were living in the basement. There were signs the men were trying to get out of the basement during the fire. The bodies were found in the basement. Molloy said emergency responders tried to resuscitate two of the victims but were unsuccessful.
Tam had one conversation with police, but now has a lawyer and isn't speaking with police anymore, said Molloy.
Police are working to determine the victims' immigration status, any building code violations at the house and potential negligence on the part of the homeowner.
Police are not ruling out human trafficking. Federal investigators could become involved if the men were living and working in the United States illegally.