UPDATE: A devastating house fire in Detroit has tragically claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl early this morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on the 12000 block of Rutherford, near Greenfield and I-96, leaving the community in shock just days before the holidays.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene after reports indicated that a woman and her two young children, aged 4 and 6, were possibly trapped inside the burning home. Neighbors described the harrowing scene as flames engulfed the structure, with one neighbor, Marcus, recalling how he saw the 4-year-old boy outside in the freezing 5-degree weather.
“I looked out the window… and I’m like ‘what’s that baby doing outside with a pull up on?’” Marcus said. He quickly sprang into action, running out in shorts to rescue the boy, who is described as being on the autism spectrum.
When firefighters arrived, they found the 6-year-old girl inside the living room suffering from severe burns. “I think it’s another kid in there, because she was screaming and hollering,” Marcus added, recalling the chaos of the rescue efforts. Tragically, despite immediate medical attention, the girl was pronounced dead at Sinai Grace Hospital.
Detroit Senior Fire Chief Leo Spitzig expressed the heartbreak felt by the community, stating, “It’s a very difficult morning for the city of Detroit and the Detroit Fire Department.” The mother of the children is reported to be in serious condition, while the 4-year-old boy is expected to fully recover from smoke inhalation.
Compounding the tragedy, bitterly cold temperatures hindered rescue efforts, with reports indicating that a hydrant near the home was frozen and inoperable. However, firefighters were able to extinguish the flames despite the setback. “One of the hydrants on the corner was out of service frozen,” Spitzig confirmed, “but that was not a factor.”
As the community mourns the loss of the young child, the Detroit Fire Investigation Division and Detroit Police Department are currently investigating the cause of the fire. Chief Spitzig emphasized the weight of this tragedy, especially during the holiday season, stating, “It’s obviously sad whenever we lose somebody, but when it is a child, it really hits home to all of us.”
Authorities are urging anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward as the investigation unfolds. The community is left grappling with this heartbreaking loss, and support services are being mobilized to assist the family affected by this tragic event.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as more details emerge.
