4-year-old dead, three hurt after Bedford house fire

BEDFORD (WSLS 10) - A firefighter pulled a 4-year-old girl out of a second story bedroom who died on her way to the hospital.

This happened at the home of Michael and Tahlia Brooks, according to fire marshal Jeff Pauley.

Along with Michael and Tahlia, six children lived in this home, but their names are not being released.

The two children now in the hospital are an 11-year-old girl and a 6-year-old girl. They are currently in pediatric ICU at Roanoke Memorial Hospital with smoke inhalation, but noexternal burns, according to Pauley.

Pauley said that their dog woke them up.

Michael Brooks was flown to Wake Forest medical Center.

Crews say the fire happened Tuesday at 4:55 a.m. at 708 Grove Street in Bedford.

Police say Michael Brooks was able to get another child out of that same room.

Fire investigators have yet to find any smoke detectors inside the two-story home.

They describe the interior construction as chopped up and that the way the home is constructed actually held the fire inside, making it difficult for firefighters to respond.

Lt. Shannon Walker with the Bedford Police Department said, "Any fire in itself is a tragedy, but when you add on this to it, it just compounds the issues. Especially with a child. Especially with it being a juvenile. Even if they all got out alive, it's a tragedy. but when you add that to it, it just compounds everything."

The police and fire agencies are already arranging counseling for the men and women who responded to the fire.

The fire department is still investigating the fire.