safety
Wayne County children die from carbon monoxide poisoning after generator used during power outage
By Pamela Osborne, Darrius Smith at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
Two children died on the Fourth of July after being found unresponsive inside a garage next to a portable generator, Sumpter Township police said. They were eight and 12 years old.First responders attempted to resuscitate the children but were unable to save them, police said. The family had been...
Key takeaway Detroit Fire Chief of Fire Prevention Dennis Hunter said at least three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in southeast Michigan over the weekend.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The tragic loss of two children in Sumpter Township due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a portable generator is a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise during power outages in Wayne County. As the region continues to experience severe weather events, residents must be vigilant in their use of generators to avoid similar incidents. Detroit Fire Chief of Fire Prevention Dennis Hunter's warnings about proper placement and maintenance of generators are crucial, especially given the odorless and colorless nature of carbon monoxide. The fact that at least three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in southeast Michigan over the weekend underscores the need for widespread awareness and education on generator safety. As the community mourns the loss of these young lives, it is critical that residents take immediate action to ensure their generators are used safely, and that they have working carbon monoxide detectors in their homes to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Two children died on the Fourth of July after being found unresponsive inside a garage next to a portable generator, Sumpter Township police said. They were eight and 12 years old.First responders attempted to resuscitate the children but were unable to save them, police said. The family had been...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Pamela Osborne, Darrius Smith at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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