DETROIT --
At least two firefights needed oxygen from EMS crews at the scene Tuesday morning while battling an arson fire in an abandoned house on the citys west side.
The house was on Merrick Street, near Vinewood Street and Warren Ave.
Detroit Fire Chief Daniel Chemotti said the departments firefighters are overworked and need fresh members.
We need young guys on this job and were not getting them, Chemotti said. The guys are falling out like flies. I think weve had nine guys go off injured in the last week, I think.
The median age of firefighters in Detroit is 43, Chemotti said.
He also said 94 percent of the fires in vacant and abandoned houses are arson.
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