Homeowner hospitalized after morning fire
One woman was hospitalized and her pet dog died after an early morning fire broke out Wednesday in a house in the area of Nine Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue in Eastpointe.
According to authorities, fire crews were dispatched about 6:15 a.m. to respond to reports of a house engulfed in flames on Shakespeare near Norton avenues. Police officers arrived first to confirm the reports.
“We had to fight in a defensive mode before we were able to get inside and knock down the fire and hit the hot spots,” Deputy Fire Chief Nick Sage said.
The female homeowner was able to make it out of the house on her own, but was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening burns she suffered, Sage said.
Her pet dog died in the blaze, he added. Sage said the house is a total loss.
Eastpointe Public Safety Director George Rouhib said several residents are looking at ways to help the homeowner.
“I want to commend all of our firefighters for doing an outstanding job at the Shakespeare fire,” the director said in a Facebook post. “They did a great job containing the fire from spreading to other dwellings.”
Fire officials said the incident underscores their repeated reminders to have smoke detectors installed in homes and businesses.
“When our crews pulled up, they said they didn’t hear any smoke detectors going off,” Sage said.
Firefighters from the Roseville Fire Department assisted Eastpointe fire crews.
Officials said there was no immediate signs of foul play, but added investigators are working to determine the cause and origin of the blaze.