UPDATE: A devastating house fire in Detroit has tragically claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl early Sunday morning, December 3, 2023. Firefighters rushed to the scene on the 12000 block of Rutherford, near Greenfield and I-96, just before 6 a.m. after receiving reports of a mother and her two young children possibly trapped inside.
Witnesses described the chaotic scene as flames engulfed the home, which was left frozen and wrapped in police tape by the afternoon. One neighbor, Marcus, shared harrowing details of his rescue effort, saying, “I looked out the window… and I’m like ‘what’s that baby doing outside with a pull up on.’” He spotted the 4-year-old boy standing outside in 5-degree temperatures and rushed to help.
When emergency crews arrived, they found the 6-year-old girl in the living room suffering from severe burns. “She was screaming and hollering,” Marcus recalled. “The house was engulfed in flames.” Despite immediate medical attention, the girl was transported to Sinai Grace Hospital where she tragically did not survive.
Detroit Senior Fire Chief Leo Spitzig expressed the community’s heartbreak, stating, “It’s a very difficult morning for the city of Detroit and the Detroit Fire Department.” The mother remains in serious condition, while the 4-year-old boy suffered smoke inhalation but is expected to recover fully.
Complications during the firefighting efforts were exacerbated by the freezing temperatures. Dispatch audio revealed that one of the hydrants near the scene was frozen and out of service. However, Chief Spitzig confirmed that this did not impact the firefighting efforts significantly.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Detroit Fire Investigation Division and the Detroit Police Department. The loss of a child just 11 days before Christmas has left many in the community in mourning. “It’s obviously sad whenever we lose somebody, but when it is a child, it really hits home to all of us,” Spitzig lamented.
As the investigation unfolds, community members are left grappling with the emotional aftermath of this tragic incident. This heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can occur in the home, particularly during the harsh winter months.
Stay tuned for more updates as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragic fire.
