MONROE ST. FIRE/ PENICK

Fire Harms Two and Kills One
By Andrea Penick



KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Two men are in custody on suspicion of arson after an Oakwood neighborhood fire erupted at 2 a.m. yesterday, injuring two children and killing one.

The three children were taken to Bronson Memorial Hospital arriving at 3:12 am. Tiffany Blanchard, 3-years-old, was pronounced dead at 3:57 a.m. after suffering severe smoke inhalation.

Tory Blanchard, five, and their brother Terry Blanchard, six, suffered minor injuries. The two boys were released from the hospital at 10 a.m.

The 1275 Monroe St. fire was called in at 2:10 a.m., the fire department arrived at approximately 2:15 a.m. By then, the building was almost fully engulfed in flames.

Seven of the 10 tenants escaped the building with no injuries, but the three children had been trapped on the second floor. Firefighters Samuel Walshe of Company 4 and James O’Brian of Company 2 rescued the children from the building.

It is reported that the building was under violation because no smoke detectors were found, according to Patricia Clarksen, Deputy Chief of the Kalamazoo Fire Department.

According to the fire department, Damages to the nearly destroyed building are estimated at $250,000.

The two suspects of the fire are in custody after witnesses claim to have seen the suspects running from the building, according to police. Vincent DeNofrio, 33, from Matawan, was seen with canister in hand, along with a juvenile, 16, also from Matawan, according to the police records of witnesses statements.

Regina Santarpio, Lt. of Kalamazoo Police Department stated, “There is a nexus between Marie Blanchard, Vincent DeNofrio and the fire.”

Through investigations, police suspect that DeNofrio was the estranged boyfriend of Marie Blanchard, a resident of the building and suspected target of the arson.


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Narrative Piece

This piece found in today's, Monday Nov. 5th, New York Times is titled, "As Floods Ebb in South, Mexico Tends to Displaced" By Elizabeth Malkin

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/06/world/americas/06mexico.html?hp

The main technique used in this piece that makes it a narrative is the use of description with out it being too much or useless descriptions. The author sets a mood, and illustrates the piece with her language. This piece tells a true story, setting the scene, and showing constant action.

The author stats her brief with a brief recap and foreshadowing that there may be more to come. She also uses a lot of lively verbs which draws the reader in and helps to illustrate the piece.

There is not a lot of dialogue in this piece, which made me question whether it was a narrative or not. There are quotes but they do not follow along with a story line. This piece was a little questionable to me, but i believe it is a narrative because of the above listed techniques used well in this piece, and the entire flow of the piece.