UPDATE: A tragic house fire in Detroit’s west side has claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl early Sunday morning, December 3, 2023. The blaze erupted around 6 a.m. on the 12000 block of Rutherford, near Greenfield and I-96, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene after receiving reports of three individuals— a woman and her two small children, ages 4 and 6, potentially trapped inside the inferno. Neighbors witnessed the horrific scene unfold, with one resident, Marcus, describing the chaos. “I looked out the window, and I’m like ‘what’s that baby doing outside with a pull up on,’” he recalled.
As temperatures plummeted to 5 degrees, Marcus sprang into action. He ran outside in his shorts, rescuing the 4-year-old boy standing alone in the freezing conditions. “I came out with my shorts on, ran out here and grabbed the baby,” he said. Rescue crews later found the 6-year-old girl in the living room suffering from severe burns.
“She was screaming and hollering,” Marcus recounted, expressing his fear that another child was still inside the burning home. Unfortunately, despite immediate medical attention, the girl was transported to Sinai Grace Hospital but did not survive. “It’s a very difficult morning for the city of Detroit and the Detroit Fire Department,” said Detroit Senior Fire Chief Leo Spitzig.
Both the mother and her surviving son were also taken to Sinai Grace, with the mother reported in serious condition and the boy expected to recover fully from smoke inhalation.
The fire response faced additional challenges as firefighters discovered that a nearby hydrant was frozen and inoperable. “One of the hydrants on the corner was out of service frozen,” Chief Spitzig confirmed, although he noted this was not a critical factor in the fire’s containment.
As the investigation continues, the Detroit Fire Investigation Division and Detroit Police Department are working to determine the cause of this devastating fire. Chief Spitzig expressed the profound impact of such a loss, especially just 11 days before Christmas. “Whenever we lose somebody, it’s sad, but when it is a child, it really hits home to all of us,” he stated.
Community members are left grappling with this heartbreaking incident, as they come together to support the affected family. The emotional toll of this tragedy resonates deeply, reminding everyone of the fragility of life, especially during the holiday season.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
