BREAKING: A devastating house fire in Detroit has claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl early this morning. The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on the 12000 block of Rutherford, near Greenfield and I-96, leaving the community reeling.
As flames engulfed the home, frantic neighbors reported hearing cries for help. One neighbor, identified as Marcus, rushed outside to assist when he noticed a 4-year-old boy, described as “autistic,” standing alone in the freezing 5-degree temperatures. “I didn’t even put on no pants,” he said. “I came out with my shorts on, ran out here and grabbed the baby.”
Firefighters arrived to find the young girl in the living room suffering from severe burns. “She was screaming and hollering,” Marcus recalled. Despite the chaos, rescue crews transported her to Sinai Grace Hospital, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries.
Detroit Senior Fire Chief Leo Spitzig confirmed the heartbreaking news, stating, “It’s a very difficult morning for the city of Detroit and the Detroit Fire Department.” The girl’s death, just 11 days before Christmas, has evoked profound sadness throughout the community.
The mother of the children and the 4-year-old boy were also taken to Sinai Grace. While the mother is reported to be in serious condition, the boy is expected to recover fully after suffering smoke inhalation.
Compounding the tragedy, firefighters struggled to access water due to a frozen hydrant nearby. “One of the hydrants on the corner was out of service frozen,” Spitzig said, adding that this was not a factor in their ability to extinguish the fire.
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Detroit Fire Investigation Division and the Detroit Police Department. Officials are urging anyone with information to come forward.
This shocking incident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of house fires, especially in harsh winter conditions. The community is left to mourn the loss of a young life and support the grieving family in this difficult time.
Stay tuned for more updates as this tragic story develops.
