House fire safety: Essential steps to stay safe
This video outlines critical steps to take in the event of a home fire. It covers calling emergency services, safely evacuating, and ensuring family safety while waiting for professional help.
- 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.
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.
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.
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Fire department team members “hate seeing this,” and are trying to convey messages around fire safety this time of year, Richardson said.
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:
- 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.
