Life was just beginning for 18-year-old Savannah Blewett and her 27-year-old brother, Chris. Both had plans for the future. Savannah wanted to be a dental hygienist.
Police said the recent St. Clair High School graduate was celebrating her graduation Saturday trying to make a bonfire out of a wood pile in her family's yard. Chris doused it with gasoline and told Savannah to light it. When she did an explosion killed both siblings.
"It's about the worse case scenario. You're celebrating the end of a high school career," said high school principal Ron Miller.
"They've lost their whole family, so there's no future," said Tom Blewett, the victims' uncle.
He added the family is devastated. Savannah and Chris were the only two children. He said the party was a small gathering and no one under age was drinking. Several people suffered minor injuries. The explosion sent debris flying and blew out windows.
While he wouldn't talk about the fire, Blewett is warning others about the danger of using gasoline.
"For people to be very careful about the things they do in the future. There [are] thing that seem like they're done every day, may seem like they're innocent, can turn out to be very bad."
This family was already dealing with hard times. We're told the children's father is a roofer who fell two years ago on the job and broke his back and legs. He's been recovering and trying to make ends meet ever since.
"I can't imagine what the family is going through when they're dealing with something like this, particularly the loss of two children. I'm heartsick by the whole thing," Miller said.
The high school principal also told us Savannah planned to attend Baker College and had a promising future.
Chris was a roofer like his dad.
A memorial Facebook page is being flooded with prayers and messages.
"Hang on to the people you love because you never know what's going to happen," said a fellow graduate, who added that classmates are stunned.
A memorial fund has also been set up to help the family. Donations can be made at any Chase Bank.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:55 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:55:56 GMT
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
A new search for the remains of Jimmy Hoffa is underway in northern Oakland County. Armed with a search warrant, the FBI moved in Monday morning and started digging in Oakland Township.
Friday, June 14 2013 7:45 PM EDT2013-06-14 23:45:59 GMT
Thousands of police and fire retirees could face painful cuts to their pension and healthcare benefits because Detroit does not have the money to live up to its obligations.
Thousands of police and fire retirees could face painful cuts to their pension and healthcare benefits because Detroit does not have the money to live up to its obligations.
Friday, June 14 2013 6:31 PM EDT2013-06-14 22:31:19 GMT
Highland Park police shut down an adult bookstore where they say illegal sex was also for sale. Fox 2 talked to a former security guard about the things he witnessed.
Highland Park police shut down an adult bookstore where they say illegal sex was also for sale. Fox 2 talked to a former security guard about the things he witnessed.
Thursday, June 13 2013 8:19 PM EDT2013-06-14 00:19:03 GMT
Vandals target a popular place for children in Detroit. They broke in and damaged a recreation center on the city's east side, and it is bad timing for a local sports league.
Vandals target a popular place for children in Detroit. They broke in and damaged a recreation center on the city's east side, and it is bad timing for a local sports league.
Thursday, June 13 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-13 22:51:57 GMT
Detroit's police and fire pension board makes a controversial move. The board's former attorney was indicted in a bribery scandal. They have now voted in a new attorney loosely connected to the scandal himself.
Detroit's police and fire pension board makes a controversial move. The board's former attorney was indicted in a bribery scandal involving Kwame Kilpatrick. They have now voted in a new attorney loosely connected to the scandal himself.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:26 PM EDT2013-06-20 03:26:37 GMT
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Mitchell Young's trial got underway on Wednesday. He is accused in the murder of Robert Cipriano and the beatings of Robert's wife, Rose, and son, Sal.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:52:15 GMT
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
The Detroit Red Wings and city officials on Wednesday announced a $650 million plan for a new arena development for the NHL team in Detroit's downtown entertainment and sports district.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:39 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:39:53 GMT
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
The state's school superintendent and treasurer could dissolve a deficit-ridden district and send the students to nearby schools under legislation narrowly approved Wednesday by a divided Michigan Senate.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:33 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:33:24 GMT
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults...
Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday cut short his trade trip to Israel to return home and lobby reluctant fellow Republicans to expand Medicaid to more Michigan adults, as the clock ticked before lawmakers break for the summer.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-06-20 01:21:00 GMT
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Dequindre-Emery Playlot had become grossly overgrown. George Bearid said enough is enough and began mowing on Sunday. Now several neighbors have joined the effort to clean up the park.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:03 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:03:28 GMT
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.
"I don't blame the clerk," Mike Duggan said as he ended his mayoral bid. Two courts ruled he cannot be on the ballot because he had not lived in Detroit for a year when he filed.