On the evening of Thursday, Dec. 20, the Sterling Heights Fire Department was confronted with back-to-back structure fires, both of which caused significant damage.
According to Fire Chief Chris Martin, the first fire was report at 5:04 p.m. by a neighbor in the 36000 block of Vine Drive. When Engine 4 arrived, Chief Martin reported the firefighters were confronted with a well-advanced fire that started in the living room of a two-story home. The fire had already burned through the front window and had spread throughout the house and to the exterior, Martin said. All residents that were home at the time of the fire were able to escape, despite the home not having one functioning smoke detector. Crews from Stations 1, 2, 3 and 4 made a quick attack on the fire and were able to save several pets. One pet rabbit could sadly not be saved, Martin said, but all other animals survived. The Fire Marshal began an investigation into the cause, which will be continuing today. At this point, the fire is believed to be accidental and there is no reason to believe that there was foul play. The damage to the home and its contents are estimated to be roughly $280,000.
Before all the crews were able to clear from the first fire, Martin reports the second fire was called in from the 37000 block of Vernon. Upon arrival of Engine 3, crews investigated and found a well-involved fire in the basement of the home. Crews from Stations 1, 3, 4 and 5 were able to bring the fire under control in a few minutes, but the home had sustained significant fire and smoke damage. All of the residents were able to escape the home despite there also being no functioning smoke detectors. The damage to the home and its contents are estimated to be roughly $125,000.
“The Sterling Heights Fire Department cannot emphasize enough how important it is to the safety of your family to have functioning smoke detectors in your home and to ensure that they are maintained as designed,” Martin said.
For more information, please contact Fire Chief Chris Martin at 586-446-2951 or via e-mail at cmartin@sterling-heights.net.
###
