URGENT UPDATE: A devastating house fire in Detroit has claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl, leaving the community reeling from this tragic loss just 11 days before Christmas. The fire erupted early Sunday morning on the 12000 block of Rutherford Street, near Greenfield and I-96.
Emergency services received reports just before 6 a.m. of a woman and her two young children, ages 4 and 6, potentially trapped inside the burning home. Neighbors reported seeing a 4-year-old boy outside in freezing 5-degree temperatures, prompting one resident, Marcus, to rush to his aid without hesitation.
“I ran out here and grabbed the baby,” Marcus recounted, acting swiftly to rescue the boy while the fire raged inside. Rescue crews arrived to find the young girl suffering from severe burns in the living room.
Detroit Senior Fire Chief Leo Spitzig confirmed that the 6-year-old was immediately transported to Sinai-Grace Hospital, but sadly, she did not survive. “It’s a very difficult morning for the city of Detroit and the Detroit Fire Department,” Spitzig stated.
The cold weather posed additional challenges for firefighters, with one hydrant nearby reported frozen and out of service. However, teams managed to extinguish the flames despite these obstacles. The mother of the children and the 4-year-old boy were also taken to Sinai-Grace, with the mother in serious condition and the boy recovering from smoke inhalation.
The Detroit Fire Investigation Division and the Detroit Police Department are actively investigating the cause of this tragic fire. Chief Spitzig expressed the profound sadness felt by responders: “When it is a child, it really hits home to all of us.”
This heartbreaking incident has sparked an outpouring of grief in the local community, highlighting the urgent need for safety measures during the winter months. As investigations continue, residents are urged to remain vigilant and ensure their homes are equipped with functional smoke detectors and fire safety equipment.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
