Peg McNichol
The Oakland Press, Sterling Heights, Mich.
(TNS)
Jul. 25—Two children suffered critical injuries in an early morning fire at Cornerstone Townhomes in Pontiac. An adult and an infant who escaped the fire were treated for minor injuries as was a bystander who tried to help the victims.
Waterford Regional Fire chief Matt Covey said 20 firefighters were dispatched just after 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, to the apartments at 76 Ridgemont, just west of North Perry Street. The building has six two-story townhomes.
Heavy fire was visible and smoke was pouring out an apartment's front door, Covey said. Firefighters rescued two children trapped in a second-floor bedroom. They went by ambulance to a nearby hospital and were transferred to Children's Hospital in Detroit where they were listed in critical condition.
A bystander caught an infant thrown to safety from a second-floor window and an adult jumped to safety.
Two of the units had significant smoke and fire damage, Covey said. The remaining four units were unaffected by the fire but all six have joint gas and water lines, which were shut off. Covey said the apartment's management team is working with Pontiac building officials to see if utilities can be separated to allow the undamaged units to be safely occupied.
Bloomfield Township Fire Department provided mutual aid. Sheriff's deputies assisted residents at the scene along and the Red Cross is helping residents affected by the fire.
Covey said township investigators are working with county sheriff's investigators to determine the fire's cause.
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