Visitation For Sisters Killed In House Fire
DETROIT (WWJ) - Visitation is Tuesday for two sisters killed in last week's house fire on Detroit's east side.
Eight-year-old Alaya Cook and her 10-year-old sister, Lataya, were trapped in their home, near Mack and McClellan. Their father says the house was firebombed, however, authorities haven't announced the cause of the blaze.
Visitation is being held at Clora Funeral Home at 7 Mile and Mound. Their funeral is Wednesday at Spain Elementary School.
It's believed to be the first time in history that a child's funeral has been held in a Detroit public school. Spain Elementary School Principal Ronald Alexander says this has been very painful for both students and teachers.
"It has been very difficult," Alexander said. "As the principal of the school, you know, people look at me as the rock - or the source of strength. It has been very hard because I've known the children since they were in preschool. They were wonderful children. They were honor roll, scholarly; and it's very painful for me as well."
There are no classes Wednesday at Spain Elementary on Beaubien, but hundreds of children and adults are expected to attend the funeral.
