NOVI, Mich. – A Chinese restaurant in Novi that made headlines after five undocumented immigrants who worked there died in a fire has closed and the assets will be sold at auction.
The fire happened Jan. 31, 2016 at the restaurant owner’s home on Mystic Forest Drive.
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Leonel Alvardo Rodriguez, 18, Pablo Alvaro Encino, 23, Miguel Nunez Diaz, 23, Brayan Alexis Medina Contreras, 16, and Simeon Diaz Nunez, 18, died trying to escape the fire. The five men were housed in two rooms in the basement of the Novi home. There were no fire extinguishers, the smoke alarm was disabled and there were no emergency exits. Chairs obstructed the only stairwell.
According to the criminal complaint, the men worked 12 hours a day at Kim's Garden, six days a week for $2,000 a month.
The restaurant owner, Roger Tam, 56, and his wife, Ada Lei, 49, were charged with conspiracy to conceal, harbor and shield aliens for economic gain. They pleaded guilty just weeks ago.
The contents of the restaurant will be auctioned off online Tuesday. The auction can be found here.