"All I have left," father says after the Michigan motel fire kills six family members

Her husband and father, Samuel Curtis, lost all but one of his family members during a huge fire Saturday in a Michigan motel, killing his wife and five of their children

. Mr. Boyce added that the father and a 1-year-old child were the only survivors of the family. "

" Her whole world was upset, "Boyce said in the fire were Kiarre Curtis, 26, Marquise Thompson, 10, Gerome Randolph, 7, Samuel Curtis, 5, Savod Curtis, 4; and Avery Curtis, 2, Authorities Reported

The eight family members were staying in the same room at the Cosmo Extended Stay motel near Benton Harbor, in the southwestern state, along the Lake Michigan.

Cassundra Clements told WSBT-TV of South Bend, Ind., that she tried to help Samuel Curtis.

"I have tried to". get the baby (survivor) from the man in case he falls, but he will not give up the baby, "Clements said. He said "that's all I have left". "

Robert Payne, a motel resident, knew the five children who died.

" They never replied; Perfect, said Payne. It breaks my heart that I will not see them anymore. It's a shame. "

The 67-year-old said that he sometimes gave them money for sweets.

" It's tragic. "It's heartbreaking," said Deputy Boyce. "Every time you have children, it's worse. When it comes to several children, it's even worse.

The victims reportedly died of smoke inhalation, pending autopsies scheduled for Saturday, reported the South Bend Tribune.

The fire destroyed about 90% of the motel. At the time, 27 rooms were occupied

Four other people and four first responders were also transported to the hospital but were released, reported the WSBT.

"As we go out, the end of the building exploded, the glass shattered and there was a great flood of flames."

– Sarah Sanders, motel resident

Sarah Sanders, another motel resident, said that she had run away after a friend had shouted her out. "The glass shattered and there was a great flood of flames."

The 911 call for fire, in Berrien County, Mich.

Other motel guests, about a two-hour drive southwest of Lansing, were evacuated safely, officials said.

Boyce described the two-story motel as a place for people. Payne said the fire had started just a few doors from his room.

"It breaks my heart that I will not see them anymore. It's a shame. "

– Robert Payne, motel resident

" I am beside a fire and I am alive and these people are dead, "said Payne, according to the Tribune."

The Cause The fire was not immediately clear, but the authorities were investigating.

Leroy Johnson, who lives in the motel, told WSBT that the fire could have ignited in his room.

"When I woke up, my bed was on fire, I said" Oh my God, "I took my sheets and I wet them and I did not get them. I tried to throw them on the bed and as I threw it on the bed it did not work.I asked the person above me a little salt ", said Johnson.

"When I throw salt, I hurry and I jump, and once I jump, the whole piece explodes"

contributed to this report.