May 23--A house fire that left one person dead early this morning in Royal Oak is under investigation, officials said.
Royal Oak Police Lt. David Clemens said police received a call at about 1 a.m. from a woman saying she was concerned her son was going to blow up their house at 1708 N. Altadena (near 12 Mile). When police responded, there was heavy smoke coming from the house, he said.
Firefighters arrived to see smoke and flames coming out of the house, Royal Oak assistant fire chief Jim Cook said. Firefighters put out the blaze and found a woman inside dead. Clemens said the woman has been identified as 69-year-old Maxine Hadley.
The fire started in the basement and quickly spread. Firefighters reached the scene in time to save the house, breaking out windows to dissipate the smoke. Cook declined to say how the fire was started, citing the continuing investigation.
Several hours later, numerous Royal Oak police remained on the scene, keeping a strict perimeter around the house as windows were boarded up.
Clemens said the victim's 50-year-old son is in custody and is being treated at a hospital for burns.
Detroit Free Press staff writer Gina Damron contributed.
Copyright 2014 - Detroit Free Press
