Two hospitalized in fire at townhome complex
Ferndale firefighters called at 4 a.m.; Five families displaced
Ferndale and Oakland County Sheriff fire officials are investigating a blaze that broke out Wednesday morning at a townhouse complex in Royal Oak Township, injuring two people.
The township contracts with Ferndale for fire services.
Ferndale Fire Chief Teresa Robinson said the fire appears to be accidental.
The fire broke out in the kitchen area of one of the Oakdale Cooperative Townhomes in the 2100 block of Hart.
They are located just north of Eight Mile Road near Meyers Road.
The fire got into the common attic and spread to four other townhomes in the same building.
A man and woman who live in the home where the fire started were taken to the hospital to be treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
Robinson said the two adults are expected to recover.
Ferndale firefighters were called to the large townhome complex about 4 a.m. Wednesday.
“All the residents were able to get themselves out,” Robinson said.
The building where the fire started has nine townhouses and five of them were affected by the fire.
“There are five families that will be displaced,” Robinson said.
Ferndale firefighters were joined by firefighters from Hazel Park, Madison Heights, and Southfield in battling the blaze.
Robinson said the fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes after firefighters arrived, though firefighters remained at the scene doing follow-up work several hours later.Other people were evaluated at the scene and required no other medical care.
County fire investigators were at the townhomes Wednesday morning also as fire officials interviewed residents and began their investigation.
The exact cause of what started the fire is yet to be determined, Robinson said.
“There were working smoke detectors, so that was good for the family” where the fire broke out, she said. “We think the detectors went off and alerted the family.”