URGENT UPDATE: A devastating house fire in Detroit has tragically claimed the life of a 6-year-old girl. The fire broke out early Sunday morning, December 10, 2023, at a home on the 12000 block of Rutherford, near Greenfield and I-96. Emergency responders rushed to the scene shortly before 6 a.m., where they encountered a scene of chaos and heartbreak.
Witnesses reported seeing smoke billowing from the residence, prompting immediate concern for those inside. A neighbor, identified as Marcus, described his frantic efforts to rescue a 4-year-old boy standing outside in frigid 5-degree temperatures. “I didn’t even put on no pants,” he recounted. “I came out with my shorts on, ran out here and grabbed the baby.”
As rescue crews arrived, they found the girl in the living room, suffering from severe burns. “She was screaming and hollering,” Marcus said, adding that she attempted to go back inside to retrieve her brother but the flames were too intense.
Emergency Medical Services transported the 6-year-old to Sinai Grace Hospital, but tragically, she did not survive. “It’s a very difficult morning for the city of Detroit and the Detroit Fire Department,” said Senior Fire Chief Leo Spitzig. The mother of the children is currently in serious condition, while the 4-year-old boy is expected to fully recover from smoke inhalation.
The intense cold posed additional challenges for firefighters. Dispatch audio revealed that one of the hydrants near the home was frozen and inoperable. “But that was not a factor in our ability to extinguish the fire,” Chief Spitzig clarified.
The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing, with the Detroit Fire Investigation Division and the Detroit Police Department working together to uncover the details. The heartbreaking loss of a child just 11 days before Christmas has left a profound impact on the community.
“It’s obviously sad whenever we lose somebody, but when it is a child, it really hits home to all of us,” Spitzig added, capturing the emotional weight of this tragedy.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the community grapples with this heartbreaking loss. The story continues to develop, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
