WESTLAND, Mich. --
A firefighter and resident were rushed to the hospital Monday night after a fire destroyed 40 apartments in a Westland apartment complex.
The fire destroyed four buildings in the Waynewood Apartment Complex on North Wayne Road near Warren Road.
Fire officials told Local 4 the fire started at about 6:30 p.m., spread quickly, and burned for more than five hours.
“It’s very devastating. At this point, it’s truly a start over,” said Vivian Beattie, who had her home destroyed.
Residents said the fire quickly ripped through the complex.
“I looked down to the corner and saw the building was completely in flames. It was just blazing,” resident Glenn Davis said.
Freezing temperatures and high winds made it difficult for firefighters to fight the blaze, officials said.
“They have to worry about hose line freezing. It’s hard for firefighters to work in these conditions, communications are tough. It just makes the whole job much more difficult,” Wayne Deputy Fire Chief Redding said.
One firefighter and one resident were taken to the hospital with injuries.
Fire officials said they believe the fire was started in a lower level apartment, but they will begin their investigation Tuesday morning.
The American Red Cross has opened up a shelter for victims of the fire.
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