Max Reinhart – The Detroit News
A woman died in a fire that destroyed a Southfield apartment complex Monday afternoon.
The woman, who was about 70 years old, initially was unaccounted for, but authorities later determined she had died in the blaze. Southfield Fire Chief Johnny Menifee said four other people were hurt — two who were treated at the scene, one who was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and a firefighter who suffered a minor injury.
Menifee said firefighters were called to the complex, in the 25000 block of Southfield Road, north of 10 Mile, at about 2:15 p.m. for a report of white smoke billowing from the building.
Upon arrival, firefighters found the fire had already spread through much of the attic space, the chief said.
With mutual aid from six neighboring fire depatments, crews began a defensive attack. They remained on scene until about 8 p.m., Menifee said, and the 17-unit building was a total loss.
He said the Red Cross and Salvation Army were working alongside the building management company to find temporary housing for the displaced residents.
“It’s always a tragic day when someone loses a life in a fire,” Menifee said.
An adjacent building also was evacuated and firefighters were able to keep the blaze from spreading to it, the chief said.
Authorities were not yet sure of the cause; the incident remains under investigation.
As of Nov. 1, there have been 78 deaths in 75 fatal fires this year in Michigan, Menifee said.
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