Novi Police ID 4 Of 5 Mexican Men Who Died In Basement Fire

NOVI (WWJ) - Authorities have identified four out of five men who died over the weekend in a fire in the basement of a Novi home.

Novi Public Safety Director David Molloy said they are 16-year-old Brayan Contreras, 18-year-old Leonel Rodriguez, 18-year-old Simeon Nunez and 23-year-old Miguel Diaz.

Police have said all five victims were from Mexico, and were believed to have been working at Kim's Garden — a Chinese restaurant on Novi Rd.

Molloy said Novi police are working with federal immigration officials and the Mexican consulate in Detroit to discover if the young men were in the country legally.

The owner of the home, on Mystic Forest Dr., near 9 Mile and Novi roads — where the five men were living in the basement — also manages Kim's Garden.

Molloy said they're not ruling out charges against the homeowner — identified as Roger Tam — who has not exactly been cooperative.

"We've only had one opportunity to speak with him and, obviously, we are looking for more opportunities to speak with him so we can continue to piece this investigation together," Molloy said.

The Oakland County Medical Examiner said all five men died from carbon monoxide, smoke and soot inhalation, and one of them suffered burns. The deaths were ruled "accidental."

Molloy said it's believed that the fire may have started with a cigarette and a mattress.

"It appeared that a couple of the victims, based upon the physical evidence at the scene, were trying to get out of the room, but obviously were overcome with the smoke and soot," Molloy said.

He said possible building violations could be criminal.

"There was no egress window for them," Molloy said. "All the windows were glass block, which would've made it impossible for an escape through the windows."

Police were still working Tuesday to identify the fifth victim, who is believed to have been in his early 20s.