16-year-old found dead in basement after fire during power outage, Michigan cops say

A 16-year-old girl was found dead in a home basement after a fire engulfed the house, according to Michigan authorities.

Investigators believe candles, which were lit after the home lost power, sparked the blaze at about 4 a.m. Tuesday, July 5.

Family members identified the girl as Kayla Casey, of Minnesota, according to WOOD. Her sister says she was at the Delton home to visit extended family for the summer.

“My favorite thing about her was her personality. I loved how outgoing she was and she seemed to make friends everywhere she went,” sister Melanie Wetherbee told the TV station. “She was loved by everyone. Kayla had a very big heart.”

She loved to sing, dance and ride horses, according to WXMI.

The teen was the only family member who didn’t safely escape, WEAR reported.

Storms caused some homes in the area to lose power, WXMI reported, before the fatal home fire.

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office says the fire and death remain under investigation.

Delton is about 45 miles southeast of Grand Rapids in southwest Michigan.

This story was originally published July 5, 2022 at 5:12 PM with the headline "16-year-old found dead in basement after fire during power outage, Michigan cops say."