June 01--MONROE -- A Saturday morning fire caused 49 families to evacuate the Hidden Trail Apartments in Monroe.
The fire started at about 9 a.m. in a third-floor apartment of the building at 1513 Stewart Rd. Its cause was unknown, according to the Frenchtown Township Fire Department.
No one was seriously injured in the fire, though two residents went to the hospital after inhaling excessive amounts of smoke, said Nicole Pribbernow, a spokesman for the American Red Cross southeastern Michigan region.
Four people were rescued out of a window, fire officials said.
All of the apartments appeared to have been damaged by the fire and the firefighters' prolonged water use, and most of the building's roof had collapsed, Ms. Pribbernow said. The fire was under control by about 10:30 a.m., but crews remained through the afternoon to monitor possible hot spots.
More than 20 Red Cross volunteers provided food, clothing, and mental health services to displaced residents at CrossePointe Church.
Most of the families have renter's insurance that will provide them with a temporary stay in a hotel, Ms. Pribbernow said, but the Red Cross directed the remainder to a shelter in a local church.
Red Cross volunteers were called in from Detroit, Washtenaw County, and Lenawee County to assist.
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