4 apartments damaged in blaze at Huron Heights Apartments in Ypsilanti Township
Firefighters clean up after extinguishing a blaze at Huron Heights Apartments in Ypsilanti Township Monday evening.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
A resident at Huron Heights Apartments left the stove unattended for a few minutes while cooking this evening, sparking a fire that gutted two apartments and damaged two others, according to Ypsilanti Township fire officials.
Residents of eight apartments in the two-story building were evacuated while firefighters from four departments battled the blaze. The resident who lives in the apartment where the fire started suffered minor injuries, but declined medical treatment, township Fire Capt. Larry James said.
James said the resident at 1251 Concord Drive, an apartment at the west end of the building, was cooking shortly after 8 p.m. and left something unattended on the stove. The stove started on fire, and the resident attempted to extinguish it, but was unsuccessful, James said.
The fire destroyed two apartments and was spreading into two others when firefighters were able to bring it under control, James said. The damage to those apartments was fairly minimal, James said, crediting the fire walls for saving the entire structure.
Fire officials say the blaze was sparked by careless cooking.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Ernie Timmons was visiting a friend in a nearby building when the fire broke out.
"We were playing some video games and heard the sirens, looked out and saw people running out of the building and lots of smoke coming out," Timmons said. "The flames were pretty intense there for a while. I'm surprised more of them didn't burn."
By 11 p.m., residents of the four apartments on the eastern end of the building were allowed back inside. The residents in the other four apartments were displaced, and the Washtenaw County chapter of the American Red Cross was on the scene assisting with lodging.
James said residents of the two units that didn't have much damage may be able to return after DTE Energy crews respond to inspect the gas meter.
James said fire inspectors will investigate the blaze. A total of about 30 firefighters from Ypsilanti Township, Ypsilanti, Pittsfield Township and Ann Arbor were on the scene.
A damage estimate has not been determined, James said. He said the residents did not have renters insurance.
Washtenaw County Road Commission crews also were on the scene at about 11 p.m. spreading salt since water used to fight the fire was freezing in the parking lot and road.
Two apartments were gutted by the blaze, and two others were damaged.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
David Jesse can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com.
Comments
newsreader
Sun, Feb 6, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
Friends In Deed takes furniture requests. The Furniture Line (734) 484-7607. If you are interested in donating, see <a href="http://www.friendsindeed.info" rel='nofollow'>www.friendsindeed.info</a> Also, House by the Side of the Road off Ellsworth Road in Ann Arbor has quite a bit of clothing for all ages. The Red Cross worker should be able to give the family a referral.
Stephanie
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 9:53 p.m.
I would like to thank you all for your concern and sympathy. I am the sister in law of the one of the families. It is a tragedy that this has happened to all these people. For anyone willing to donate The children's (BOYS) sizes are 18 months, 5/6, and 10. I am unsure of shoe sizes and the sizes of the adults. The children, as mentioned, lost EVERYTHING! Any toys, coloring books, crayons, lamps are going to be appreciated. I have a list of things that are needed, but it is not everything that they need. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower curtain, high chair for the baby, lamps, pillows, broom, mop, coffee maker or any other household appliances. There are no beds also. Thank you in advance to anyone who can help! If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me at sparmelee@wccnet.edu
Angela
Thu, Feb 3, 2011 : 3:43 p.m.
Thank you Stephanie. I also was able to get sizes for the second family effected by the fire. Mom: age 27, pants:7/8, shirt: medium, shoes: 8, Dad: age 27, pants: 36/32, shirt: XXL, shoe: 11.5 and children: age 10 boy:pants: 12,shirt:9/10 and shoe:4.5, age 5 boy: pants:6, shirt: 6/7 and shoe:12, age 1 boy: pants:"18-24months, shirt: 18-24 months and shoe:4. Again we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and only hope that we can all work together to help these families get back on their feet.Thank you!
Arbuckle
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.
not a billy, Wow, thank you for the information, I did not know about this conflict. It is quite scary to hear that some sort of petty disagreement would stop a fire department from responding on mutual aid right outside of their area in a potentially life or death situation. I was also under the impression that any member of the Washtenaw Area Mutual Aid Association HAD to provide response if called upon, I didn't know they had a choice. I don't live in that area but I certainly never hope I'm involved in a fire or accident near Ypsilanti/Superior border. VERY SCARY.
not a billy
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 3:14 a.m.
FOR ARBUCKLE: Superior Township should have been there, except for the politics between Ypsi Twp FD and Superior Twp FD Fire Chief. Current Mutual Aid agreements in place provide for this type of assistance, however the four departments on the scene have worked out a more specific agreement while Superior Township chose not to play. STFD has a station at Harris & MacArthur that would probably be just as close as Ypsi Twp units. STFD hasn't played well since Chief Smith retired and Jim Roberts got the job. Talk to any of the guys at STFD and they can explain more.
newsreader
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 12:43 a.m.
What a shame to lose everything. @Angela - perhaps you could print up a flyer including some of the specifics such as size ranges for the adults (Some adults are small, some are extra large!) and kids, with the diaper and clothing sizes. Then if people call the office you will have something to email or fax them. I know that the things Red Cross provides are only the basics to get a person through the first three days, and not necessarily to outfit your children for all seasons. Maybe any extras that you get can be set aside for any future emergencies that residents may have. I hope there aren't any, but that's why we have a police and a fire department. Things happen.
Angela
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 9:58 p.m.
We here at the Huron Heights office are working real hard to collect size information from the families. We do have fliers currently printed up and our residents are working together to pass fliers out at the local churches as well as assistance agencies. One family has already moved into their new apartment here at Huron Heights and the other is expected today to pick up keys. We do have sizes for one family and they are as follows: 4 yr old girl: size 5 pants, size 6 shirts,size 12 shoes. 6yr old boy: size 8 shirt and pant, size 1 shoe. 7yr old boy: size 7 shirt and pants and size 13 shoe. 1yr old : 6-9 months clothing and size 3 shoe. Mother: medium shirt, 4 in womens pants, 5/6 in juniors pants( she is small) Dad: X-Large shirts. This is all we were able to collect so far. Anything donated is appreciated and the families are wanting to send thank you cards but if you prefer you do not have to give your name. Both families lost their beds as well as furniture too. Again we thank you for your support. Any questions please call our office 734-480-1600
Ann English
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 12:41 a.m.
That's great that NO gas explosion accompanied this fire. I don't remember ever reading such a news story before, ever. I guess fires always follow gas explosions. This story and some of the comments make me wonder if it would be a good iidea for apartment residents to at least occasionally use SLOW COOKERS. That way, they can leave to shop and still cook safely.
Arbuckle
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 9:52 p.m.
I am wondering why Pittsfield and Ann Arbor fire departments assisted but not Superior township. Isn't the Superior township fire station much closer than either of those?
Allison
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 9:15 p.m.
@ Angela thank you for that info, I know I have some extra time in the next few days I can knit up some hats for those kids. I know it would be helpful to get the shoe sizes and clothing sizes, I have baby clothes from my daughter but it would be nice to know the exact size. I know in my apartment I had gone into the living room to play with my daughter, only gone 5 min and I went back to check on the meat I was broiling and opened the stove and poof it was on fire, these things happen so fast.
Angela
Wed, Feb 2, 2011 : 9:58 p.m.
We here at the Huron Heights office are working real hard to collect size information from the families. We do have fliers currently printed up and our residents are working together to pass fliers out at the local churches as well as assistance agencies. One family has already moved into their new apartment here at Huron Heights and the other is expected today to pick up keys. We do have sizes for one family and they are as follows: 4 yr old girl: size 5 pants, size 6 shirts,size 12 shoes. 6yr old boy: size 8 shirt and pant, size 1 shoe. 7yr old boy: size 7 shirt and pants and size 13 shoe. 1yr old : 6-9 months clothing and size 3 shoe. Mother: medium shirt, 4 in womens pants, 5/6 in juniors pants( she is small) Dad: X-Large shirts. This is all we were able to collect so far. Anything donated is appreciated and the families are wanting to send thank you cards but if you prefer you do not have to give your name. Both families lost their beds as well as furniture too. Again we thank you for your support. Any questions please call our office 734-480-1600
Ignatz
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:23 p.m.
When I worked at U-M Family Housing unit, we used to get residents leaving to go shopping while something was cooking on the stove What are folks thinking?
Angela
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 4:15 p.m.
The residents did have fire extinguishers available in the apartments. All residents are provided with this upon move in. The residents of both units that were completely destroyed are being moved into new apartments today. Everyone is safe and unharmed. Both families have young children and all of their belongings are destroyed. Any donation can be dropped off at the Huron Heights leasing center. The families lost everything clothes,coats,food,shoes,diapers,formula etc.. One family consist of two adults one female one male, three sons aged 10 , 5 and a 16 month old. The other family consist of 2 adults one male and one female and four children. Two sons aged 8 and 7 and two daughters age 4 and 12months. The Red Cross also came to our office last night with our property manager and the families to get them settled and gave necessities needed to get through the next couple of days. Or office is located at 669 Woburn Drive. Ypsilanti,MI.48198. our phone number is 734-480-1600. We will accept any and all donations on behalf of the family at our leasing center,our office hours are Monday-Friday 10am-6pm and Saturday 10am-5pm. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING AND THANK EVERYONE WHO HELPED THE FAMILIES LAST NIGHT. WE HAD A RESIDENT LAST NIGHT WHO PROVIDED SOCKS AND DRINKS TO THE FAMILIES LAST NIGHT THANK YOU DENNIS! AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS ALREADY DONATED AND FOR ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT THE FAMILIES WELL BEING. PLEASE KEEP THEM IN YOUR THOUGHTS! THANK YOU
Ricki
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 3:38 p.m.
Don't know if it would have helped this stove fire,but are not fire extinguishers required per building code?
Morgan
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 2:39 p.m.
Living in the dorms on EMU's campus I heard all the police, fire, and ems sirens, but I couldn't find out what was going on. I smelled the smoke and heard all kinds of comotion. But I'm glad no one is hurt.
ThaKillaBee
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 1:43 p.m.
Glad no one was hurt. Side note, at about 6pm yesterday a bunch of firetrucks and police cars raced by my house with sirens blazing. I'm unable to find anything about that. I'm just curious if anyone knows where I can look at police/emergency records to see what was going on?
jondhall
Tue, Feb 1, 2011 : 1:10 p.m.
When the departments work together all taxpayers win ! Good thing Union rules do not prohibit that .