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4 dead, Detroit firefighter injured in slew of fires. What to know

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4 dead, Detroit firefighter injured in slew of fires. What to know


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  • In three days, two fatal fires and multiple other fires were reported in Detroit.
  • An electrical incident is believed to have caused one fatal fire.
  • Fire officials ask that residents make fire safety plans and take precautions with devices like space heaters.
  • Those facing housing and heating concerns can call the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520.

A fire that claimed three lives in Detroit began with an electrical incident, officials say. Now, in the wake of that deadly blaze, another fatal fire and multiple other recent blazes – including one that injured a firefighter − Detroit fire officials are urging residents to take fire safety steps this holiday season.

Four people died across two fires on Sunday, Dec. 14, and Monday, Dec. 15, in the city, and firefighters tackled three housefires that displaced residents in the early morning hours on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

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A cause was not yet available for the Dec. 14 fire that killed a 7-year-old boy, originally reported by officials as a 6-year-old girl. That fire took place in the 12000 block of Rutherford Street, near Greenfield Road, and also left a woman critical and a 4-year-old with smoke inhalation.

In the case of the Dec. 15 fire, more details were beginning to emerge.

A man, a woman and a teen girl all died after a house fire reported about 6 a.m. in the 19000 block of Wildemere Street, near Detroit’s Palmer Park and off 7 Mile Road. An elderly woman was also critical after the fire.

Clutter in the house slowed down rescue efforts, officials previously said.

And speaking to the media on Tuesday, Dec. 16, Fire Investigation Division Chief Dennis Richardson said an electrical event caused the fire, and combustibles in the house contributed to the blaze.

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The specifics of the electrical event are still being looked at, but Richardson said the house already had electrical issues, and it’s believed wiring played a role in the fire.

Fire department team members “hate seeing this,” and are trying to convey messages around fire safety this time of year, Richardson said.

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A spike in fires

That message is one the department works to share months ahead of the holiday season, said Detroit Fire Marshal Donald Thomas. Headed into next year, the department hopes to use data to work with specific neighborhoods with vulnerable structures that see home heating and electrical fires.

“We do notice that there is a spike in some of the fires that we have during our colder season,” Thomas said.

While the causes are still under investigation, the department also saw multiple houses in flames on Dec. 16:

  • A fire was reported about 12:45 a.m. in the 19100 block of Dwyer Street, said Corey McIsaac, Detroit Fire Department media relations director. Firefighters arrived to find fire in one home, but it extended into four homes nearby. One home was occupied, but no one was injured.
  • A house fire was also reported just before 3 a.m. in the 19600 block of Charest Street, McIsaac said. Firefighters arrived to find all residents and dogs outside. The fire was put out but rekindled a little after 6 a.m. and was doused again.
  • Additionally, a fire was reported just before 3:10 a.m. in the 2100 block of Ashland Street, McIsaac said. The upstairs flat in the two-family home was on fire, and all residents were out when firefighters arrived. One firefighter was injured during the response but was released later in the day.

All displaced residents were connected to the American Red Cross or Detroit Housing Services for housing assistance, McIsaac said.

Fighting time

Fire can double itself every 30 seconds, so residents and responders are “fighting against time” when flames break out, said Detroit Fire Capt. Edward Davis of the Public Instruction Unit.

Steps he suggested to avoid a fire in the first place include:

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  • Plugging space heaters directly into wall outlets instead of extension cords.
  • Not leaving space heaters unattended while sleeping or leaving the home.
  • Keeping space heaters on a flat surface and three feet away from clothing, paper products or other combustibles.
  • Keeping space heaters away from children and pets, as the little ones can knock the heaters over or get burned.
  • Not using ovens or stoves to heat a house.

Steps he recommended to prepare for safety during a fire included:

  • Having working smoke detectors and checking them every week.
  • Creating a fire safety plan that includes two routes of escape, where to meet and how to alert others in the house without risking personal injury. That last part could be done with whistles or air horns. Additionally, having a plan on how to shelter if escape isn’t possible. Sheltering could include closing a door to slow a fire’s progress.
  • Possessing fire extinguishers and knowing how to use them.
  • Possessing a ladder, if a resident wants, but being sure where it is and how to use it because of how quickly fire doubles.

The fire department also released additional information on getting fireplaces and furnaces inspected and avoiding the dangers of carbon monoxide in the winter months. For more safety suggestions and details on those, go to detroitmi.gov/fire.

In addition, those facing housing concerns, without proper heat, or displaced from the fires can reach out to the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520. 



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Detroit, MI

Patchy dense fog turns to stronger thunderstorms for Metro Detroit to start the weekend

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Patchy dense fog turns to stronger thunderstorms for Metro Detroit to start the weekend


4Warn WeatherSATURDAY: Mostly cloudy skies. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. A few storms could be strong with gusty winds and hail. High: 71.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy skies, becoming partly cloudy skies late. Low: 45.

SUNDAY (MOTHER’S DAY): Mix of sunshine and clouds, cooler temperatures. High: 61.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy skies. Another chilly night. Low: 41.

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MONDAY: Mostly sunny skies, remaining chilly. High: 58.


After a beautiful end to the week on Friday with sunshine and a little cloud cover, with warmer temperatures moving into the region as well, some of us are waking up to some patchy dense fog on Saturday morning. Some places south of M-59 are seeing reduced visibilities down to around a mile. If you do run into some patchy dense fog, be sure to use your low beams.

That warming trend continues into the start of the weekend on Saturday, but it also brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Another cold front will work through the region by Saturday afternoon and early Saturday evening and that will bring our thunderstorm chance. High temperature is warming into low 70s by Saturday afternoon.

The Storm Prediction Center has placed most of the region under a Marginal Risk (1 out of 5) on our severe weather scale for the start of the weekend. Gusty winds and hail are the primary threats as we work through the start of the weekend, but this will not be a widespread threat for severe thunderstorms.

Behind that cold front for the end of the weekend on Sunday, we will keep a mixture of sunshine and clouds into the forecast. High temperatures running about 10 to 15° cooler to end the weekend. Expect high to warm into the upper 50s to lower 60s by Sunday afternoon.

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Drier weather sticks around for the start of next week, before another chance of rain moves into the region by the time we get to Tuesday. The cooler-than-average temperatures will continue into the start of next week as well. Expect high temperatures to remain in the 50s for Monday and Tuesday.

Temperature start to warm up by the middle of next week, and Drier weather moves back in by Wednesday behind another cold front moving into the region. Expect high temperatures into the lower 60s on Wednesday to warm into the upper 60s by the time we get to Thursday. Above average temperatures move back into the region as we look ahead into the end of the week, expect high temperatures back into the lower 70s by the time we get to Friday.

Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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GameThread: Tigers vs. Royals, 7:40 p.m.

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GameThread: Tigers vs. Royals, 7:40 p.m.


MLB: MAY 06 Red Sox at Tigers

DETROIT, MI – MAY 06: Detroit Tigers Dillon Dingler (13) at bat during the game between Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers on May 6, 2026 at Comerica Park in Detroit, MI (Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images



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Approval poll: Do you approve of Lions GM Brad Holmes? (post-2026 draft)

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Approval poll: Do you approve of Lions GM Brad Holmes? (post-2026 draft)


It’s been quite some time since we checked in with Detroit Lions fans regarding their opinion of general manager Brad Holmes. The last time we polled our audience was almost exactly a year ago, following the team’s 2025 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, those poll results were lost to time (and a migration to a new content management system at SB Nation).

But as you can see below, Holmes has been an extremely popular figure among Detroit sports fans for pretty much his entire career.

Although, if there was a time when Holmes’ popularity took a hit, it was likely during the 2025 NFL season, when the Lions took their first clear step back since he and Dan Campbell came to town.

Since last year’s data was lost to time, this is a good opportunity to check back in with Lions fans. While Holmes certainly deserves a ton of credit for getting the Lions back to relevancy and helping them produce four consecutive seasons with winning records, there are some serious blemishes on his resumé now. The 2024 NFL Draft class has not lived up to his high standards through two seasons, some of his riskiest picks over the last few years have all failed to pay off, and last year’s roster just wasn’t good enough to withstand the injuries.

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But Holmes is also coming off a very crowd-pleasing draft. Detroit addressed their two biggest needs with their first two selections, and there were no crazy head-scratching picks or expensive trade ups. Many have categorized his latest draft as “back to business as usual,” which could have some fans he lost back on his side.

However, that is all up to you. Vote on your thoughts about Holmes’ time in Detroit below, and share your extended thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of the page.



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