Three children killed in Eastpointe house fire

EASTPOINTE, Mich. (WJBK) - Three young children were killed in a house fire early Saturday morning, according to Eastpointe officials. The kids were 4, 8 and 9 years old. 

Police say that the children, identified as brothers Brendon Mahone, 9 and Zyher Cameron Swain, 8, and cousin Madison Swain, 4, were home alone at the time of the fire. Investigators say they do not know why the children were left home alone.

Eastpointe police say the children were found in an upstairs bedroom.

"I've known them since they came out their mother's stomach; they were very sweet boys. Brendon, he loved to preach; love to put on a church robe and preach. Loved singing Gospel songs; loved his grandmother's cooking. Brendon was just a gown little man," family friend Tiffany Sinclair said.

The aunt of Brendon and Zyher is heartbroken from this tragic situation.

"They love their mom; they love their father. They were very lovable kids, it's very hard. Just want to tell everybody just pray for me and my family, especially pray for my mom, and brother," Lashawnda Mahone said. 

Eric Keiser, acting Public Safety Director of the Eastpointe Police Department, says the fire destroyed the home, which is currently occupied by two families in the 15000 block of Juliana Street.

The home, according to Keiser, did not have working smoke detectors. Investigators have not determined the cause of the fire. 

The investigation will take some time to bring about charges and discovering the cause of the fire.