Woman killed in overnight fire in Ypsilanti Township

Posted on Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 5:53 a.m.

Woman killed in overnight fire in Ypsilanti Township

By Amalie Nash

A woman was killed in a house fire in Ypsilanti Township at this home on Rambling Road.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

Updated with additional details at 10:50 a.m.

A woman trapped on the second floor of an Ypsilanti Township home was killed in an overnight fire, despite the efforts of a neighbor and firefighters to rescue her, officials said this morning.

The fire broke out just before midnight in the 1200 block of Rambling Road. Ypsilanti Township Fire Capt. Vic Chevrette said a neighbor called 911 at 11:53 p.m. and reported the house was on fire, and a woman was trapped and visible from a second-floor window.

When firefighters arrived at 12:01 a.m., flames were coming from the first-floor windows and roof of the home, Chevrette said. Firefighters entered the home, but did not see the woman, Chevrette said.

The woman's body was found 30 minutes later in a second-floor bedroom, Chevrette said. Her name has not yet been released.

Chevrette said a neighbor repeatedly tried to enter the home before firefighters arrived to save the woman, but was pushed back by the intensity of the fire. He was taken to the hospital for treatment for exhaustion.

No one else was injured.

Firefighters say this home was engulfed when they arrived just after midnight.

Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com

Washtenaw County sheriff's spokesman Derrick Jackson said it appears two people were inside the home at the time, and they were friends of the resident's son. The resident and her son weren't home, but the friends had permission to enter, Jackson said.

One of the son's friends was the woman killed in the fire, Jackson said. He did not have her age or hometown. The other friend, a man, escaped.

The home, valued at $80,000, was a total loss, Chevrette said.

Beverly Finkbeiner, 57, was in bed watching football on TV when she heard the commotion, prompting her to look out the window. The front of her neighbor's home was on fire, and a man was standing in her neighbor's driveway, she said.

"He was standing there with his hands on his head, saying, 'God, please don't let this be happening. Please,'" she said.

She heard people yelling, "Jump! Jump!" Her boyfriend called 911.

"It's devastating for something like this to happen," she said. "I think it's a horrible way to die. Especially when you know there's somebody in there and they can't get out."

Mack Daniels, 20, of Ypsilanti, who knows a boy who stayed at the home, said he felt bad for him.

"It hurts me because now he (has) nowhere to stay, and it wasn't even his fault," he said. "That's a shame man. I just feel bad for him and his family because they ain't got nothing. They gotta start from scratch now. Everything is just gone."

Michigan State Police fire investigators were on the scene this morning investigating the cause of the blaze. Detectives from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department also are investigating.

Jackson said the cause of the fire is not yet known, but initial indications are that it was accidental. He did not immediately have additional information this morning.

Chevrette said the extremely cold temperatures, ice and wind made both getting to the fire and fighting it a challenge. He said high winds caused the fire to spread quickly, and the subzero temperatures froze fire hoses and water around the home and in the driveway.

"The roads were extremely icy getting there, and the winds pushed the fire along. It was pretty far along when we arrived," Chevrette said.

Ypsilanti Township firefighters were assisted by firefighters in Ypsilanti, Superior Township and Pittsfield Township.

AnnArbor.com's Lee Higgins contributed to this story.

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Comments

Didyoukno

Mon, Dec 20, 2010 : 9:12 a.m.

i agree Des Dial,i had a dream it was handled

yogi

Fri, Dec 17, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.

@ des dial. i knew mikey well, she lived in my apt complex. this is such a tragey! i did think she was older than 17 i just wished her a happy birthay dec 2nd. r.i.p. mycara

FireTimes

Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.

So I did a little fact finding. You might want to check your facts, sailor67. Multiple, and I dare say consistently, when there has been inclement weather over the past 5+ years there has been extra staffing called in for ALL stations to alleviate the problems that this fire exhibited including manpower on fire scenes, and likewise delayed response to fire scenes due to road conditions which in turn equals reduced manpower on scenes. Not to mention that added motor vehicle crash responses that occurs during such times. And in regards to this comment; Right or wrong, YTFD personnel have always been trained to operate with 2-person crews. The recent budget crunch has nothing to do with the department operating with 2 firefighters on a rig. You are also flat out wrong. With a Township mandated (6) person minimum staffing, which places 2 personnel at each Station, that only allows 2 personnel per station/apparatus. This is a choice SOLELY decided by the Township, and the Board. Previous minimum staffing was (8) which in this case would have placed (4) personnel immediately at the scene coming from HQ effectively DOUBLING the number that was there. Whether 2 responded in a rescue unit and 2 in a Engine, or three on an Engine and one in a Officers vehicle, or all 4 in a clown car you would have still had (4) personnel on scene. You can spin the semantics, but that is the reality. The supposed budget crunch is the reason used to reduce the minimum staffing. They have chosen to staff with 6 reducing the number of personnel responding out of a headquarters where 70% of the run volume occurs. If the budget crunch is the reason used for making cuts, then it also applies when it affects scene operations as well. You dont get to pick and choose to use a reason when it suits your stance. It is what it is. And there was also a period of time where all Engines within the Township were staffed with (3) personnel within the same time frame even after all road construction was completed. That was effectively ended on a Board members decision as well. You either havent paid attention to recent history, or are just out of the loop.

BenWoodruff

Thu, Dec 16, 2010 : 6:51 a.m.

sailor67, you are right, however, the Headquarters station, which carries 40-50% of the runs and covers the oldest neighborhoods, where fires are more likely to happen, based on age of homes and buildings, socioeconomic issues, etc...had always been a four person station...

sailor67

Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 2:18 p.m.

FYI Folks, With the exception of the south and westside stations - during periods of significant road reconstuction in the immediate area of those stations - Ypsilanti Township has NEVER assigned more than 2 firefighters to a fire truck in their history. Right or wrong, YTFD personnel have always been trained to operate with 2-person crews. The recent budget crunch has nothing to do with the department operating with 2 firefighters on a rig.

Des

Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 12:09 p.m.

Yes she was not a grown woman she was just only a child. She just truned 17 years old on December 3rd. Something about why and how this fire started and the boy she was with just don't sit right to me. He stated that he went to the bathroom down the stairs and Mycara was up stairs and when he exited the bathroom the kitchen was on fire. Seems to me that he would of had enough time to call, hollar or scream to her to come down. Mycara had a nice amount of cash in her pockets which we don't know was found on her. The amount was over $200 and she was reported found burned beyound recognition. Bodies don't burn that fast or easy with out excerlerant. Seems to me there should be an extensive investigation as to how the fire was started and was there any foul play involving the extent of damage to her teenage body.

townie

Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 8:09 a.m.

Thank you for the info FireTimes. It is crazy to only having 2 people per truck. I think we should look for ways to make budget cuts that do not risk peoples lives.

Linda

Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 12:14 a.m.

My babygirl, u n your daddy r my heart...I'm glad I had my chance to tell u I love u...I will truely miss mycarabear calls...if I knew Friday was the.last day being with u, I would of hugged u longer...I'm glad I said I love u babygirl. Your brother Paris n sister Che misses u. I got your father, he's holding strong. We gained an Angel..which u already were...I love you! Love, Linda (mommy)

Linda

Wed, Dec 15, 2010 : 12:10 a.m.

yogi

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 4:05 p.m.

does anyone know who the woman was?

Ignatz

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 3:08 p.m.

@FireTimes: Thanks for the update. There's only two people per truck? That's way stupid, even criminal.

Sara

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.

I LOVE U MAC AND U WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED LOVE AUNTIE SARA

Sara

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.

I LOVE U MAC AND U WILL BE MISSED SO DEEPLY!!!! I LOVE U ALWAYS AND FOREVER LOVE, UR AUNTIE!!!!

Barbie117

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.

It took 8 min to get from the southside to the green, yes the roads were bad, however this is why these cuts in budgets of CRITICALLY NEEDED SERVICES I.E., FIRE DEPT, SALT THE ROADS...are literally killing ppl. I'm wondering how the fire started and how one person got out and the other didn't but they came together clearly...

FireTimes

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.

Reasonably increased budget = Adequate staffing So that way the first Engine in, which is only staffed with 2 personnel, which is then sliced in half with one member manning the pump and assuming command of the scene, which then leaves one member to make entry ALONE into a burning structure with a CONFIRMED trapped victim in place is not forced to attempt a 2-3 person task solo. Or attempt to stretch a hoseline, another 2-3 person task, to knock down the fire. Or attempt to place a ladder to the window, another 2-3 person task, where the victim was last seen to make a rescue attempt. No different then a construction crew completing a job, or a surgeon assisted by his team in the operating room, or a Amish group raising a barn. There is NO substitute for manpower and a complete team. Answer your question, Ignatz?

Ignatz

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 12:15 p.m.

It took firefighters 8 minutes to get there. I don't know how a reasonably increased budget would have helped.

ybecuz

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.

Maybe if the township board didn't cut 30% of the fire dept manpower, we would have seen a different outcome. But think of all the money we saved for the sheriffs, Winter's et.al. and the improved board pensions... Now thats some effective politics straight from the hollers to your front porch...YeeHaw

Mark

Tue, Dec 14, 2010 : 8:07 a.m.

Fires in the deep winter are always tough, and this tragic incident just reaffirms that sad fact. I offer my sympathy to the friends and family of the victim.