Detroit House Fires Leave Four Dead, Others Injured
The Detroit News
(TNS)
A Detroit firefighter was injured while battling a blaze early Tuesday at a home on the city's east side, officials said.
It was one of three fires crews were called to extinguish within hours on the city's east side. The incidents also unfolded after two house fires in the city claimed the lives of a 7-year-old boy and three others on Sunday and Monday. Three others were hospitalized.
Fire officials said the causes of Tuesday's fires are under investigation.
On Tuesday, firefighters were called at about 12:45 a.m. to the 19100 block of Dwyer Avenue near Seven Mile and Mound roads on the city's east side for a fire in a home, according to authorities.
The first fire crew arrived in about five and a half minutes and found a house in flames, they said. Firefighters found a fire that originated in one home but spread to four nearby houses, one of which was occupied, officials said.
Crews extinguished the fires, and no injuries were reported, they said.
Corey McIsaac, Detroit Fire Department spokeswoman, said the residents displaced by the fire were put in touch with the American Red Cross to find temporary shelter and the city's Housing Department to find long-term housing.
Detroit firefighters were then called just before 3 a.m. to a home in the 19600 block of Charest Street near Outer Drive and Conant Street on the city's east side for a report of a fire, they said.
The first fire crew arrived in about six minutes, according to authorities. They said they arrived and found the house on fire and its occupants and dogs outside.
After firefighters extinguished the fire, the occupants were connected to the Red Cross for help to find temporary housing, and the city's Housing Department will contact them, McIsaac said.
She added flames rekindled at the home shortly after 6 a.m., but they were quickly extinguished.
Also on Tuesday, Detroit fire crews were called before 3:10 a.m. to an occupied two-family flat in the 2100 block of Ashland Street near Kercheval Avenue and Chalmers Street.
Officials said the first company of firefighters arrived in about five and a half minutes.
The crew arrived to find flames in the second-story flat and all of the occupants outside of the home, authorities said.
Firefighters put out the fire, but one of the first responders suffered a minor injury during the operation, McIsaac said. He was taken to a hospital, treated, and scheduled to be released, she said.
Meanwhile, the city's housing department was working with the family to find short- and long-term housing, the spokeswoman said.
On Monday, three people died and one person was hospitalized after a fire at a home on the city's northwest side. Crews were called at about 6 a.m. to the fire on the 19000 block of Wildemere Street near Seven Mile and Livernois.
The day before that, a 7-year-old boy died in a house fire on the city's west side. A woman and a 4-year-old boy were taken to the hospital after firefighters found them in the house fire in the 12000 block of Rutherford Street near Plymouth and Greenfield roads.
Officials said on Monday that the cause of both fires was under investigation.
On Tuesday, Detroit Fire Department officials reminded residents to take steps to stay safe during the home heating season this winter.
Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires and home fire deaths nationwide, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
The association also says the risk of residential fires caused by candles peaks during the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Many of these fires are caused by unattended candles, often left burning when residents fall asleep or leave their homes without extinguishing them.
Detroit Fire Department officials said the city's firefighters respond to many fires involving heating equipment — fires that are often devastating, but preventable.
"Space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and other heating equipment make our homes comfortable during the coldest months," Detroit Executive Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms said in a statement. "But they also bring real risks if not used or maintained safely.
"Our firefighters stand ready to protect you if an emergency arises —but we’d much rather you stay safe and never need to make that call," he said. "Fire safety education is one of the most important parts of our mission because every fire prevented means lives and property saved."
The department urges all consumers to use space heaters with care and recommends that they:
∎ Place space heaters on a flat, stable surface. Never put them on tables or furniture.
∎ Keep heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn — curtains, bedding, clothing, furniture, and paper products.
∎ Create a 5-foot "kid-and-pet-free zone" around every space heater.
∎ Plug heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use surge protectors or extension cords.
∎ Turn off heaters when leaving a room or going to sleep.
∎ Keep heaters clear of walkways and never block an exit.
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