Detroit Fire Department cites apartment complex over fire hydrant access
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A devastating apartment fire in Detroit has left a disabled woman homeless, the complex now cited with code violations.
The apartment started late in the evening of January 23 when Regiina Owens was having someone help her cook dinner.
“I didn’t know exactly what was happening, all I knew was that I saw some flames in the kitchen,” Regina Owens said.
But it was enough for her to understand she needed to get out quickly and call 9-1-1.
According to the Detroit Fire Department, it took 3:57 for them to get to the apartment complex after the emergency call was placed.
“Icouldheartheirsirens,butitseemedlikeitwastakingforeverforthemtogetthere,”Owenssaid.
ThereasonOwensheardsirenswellbeforeshesawthefirecrewsisbecauseabackgatewaslocked,andfirefighterswereforcedtoroutewaterfromahydrantaboutablockaway.
“Howinsecureisthat?”Owensasked.“Whenanemergencyoccurs,theycan’tgetinquick.”
It’salsoacodeviolation,accordingtotheNationalFirePreventionAss
