FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) — Twelve people have been hospitalized, including four police officers, after a fire destroyed a home in Farmington Hills on Tuesday morning. Two people have since been released, an adult woman and an infant.
FULL VIDEO: Farmington Hills police and fire update on house fire
We're told that six of the people hospitalized, including three of the officers, are in serious but stable condition as of 2:00 pm. on Tuesday, April 1, upgraded from critical condition. Those three officers have been transported to the burn unit at Detroit Receiving Hospital on ventilators due to smoke inhalation.
Officials have released the following information on those still hospitalized:
- Four adults were transported to the University of Michigan, three of whom remain in serious condition on ventilators.
- Two children were transported to University of Michigan CS Mott Children’s Hospital.
- Four officers were transported to DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital. Three officers remain in serious, but stable condition and are currently on ventilators.
The fire started at a home on 10 Mile near Middlebelt. 911 calls were received just before 5:00 a.m. The callers said people were trapped inside.
Crews from every Farmington Hills fire station responded, as did everyone on duty from the Farmington Hills Police Department. When they arrived, the home was fully engulfed. According to police, Officers Devin Hunt, Muhieddine (Dean) Turk, and Timothy Shingleton immediately rushed to the rear of the property and forcibly entered through a back door. They worked to rescue an unconscious man with a 7-year-old child pinned beneath him. The unconscious man was dragged out the rear door, while the child was carried outside.
Officers also helped another man crawl over the unconscious man and outside of the house.
During an afternoon press conference, police released body camera footage of the officers pulling people to safety from the fire.
BODY CAMERA VIDEO: Farmington Hills officers rescue victims from house fire (WARNING: Intense video, may not be suitable for all audiences)
“I am extremely proud of the selfless and heroic actions of these officers, who risked their lives to rescue these residents,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott. “We remain hopeful and are praying for the full recovery of the officers involved and the residents who were rescued.”
The fourth officer, Officer Antoneta Bucaj, helped an adult and a child out a side door. Officers also rescued two cats from the home. They are being treated at a local animal hospital
The afternoon press conference followed an earlier news conference by Farmington Hills Fire Chief Jon Unruh.
"The heroic actions of these four police officers exemplify the very best of public service. Without hesitation, they rushed into danger to rescue residents trapped in the burning home, demonstrating extraordinary courage and selflessness,” said Unruh at the afternoon news conference. “Their swift response, coupled with the Fire Department's immediate medical attention and transportation of all twelve individuals to the hospital, likely prevented a tragic outcome. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of why working smoke alarms are absolutely critical in every home. These simple devices provide the early warning that can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. We are profoundly grateful to these brave officers and fire personnel for their exceptional service to our community."
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE FROM FARMINGTON HILLS FIRE CHIEF JON UNRUH
Farmington Hills police officers were the first to the scene just after 5 a.m., rescuing the eight family members trapped in the bedrooms of the home. We're told that at least two of the people in the home were unconscious upon arrival.
The ages of the family members range from five months old to 27 years old. The remaining two adults and child were able to get out of the home before officers arrived on scene.
The home was owned by the Tawheed Center, a faith-based organization that is located directly across the street.
Three members of the family are in critical condition. However, fire officials say the children are not among them.
The ATF was notified about the fire, which, according to officials, is standard procedure in fires involving a faith-based organization.
Everyone hospitalized is believed to have suffered from smoke inhalation, officials say.
All of the kids are in good condition, according to first responders, who also rescued two cats from the home.
We're told the home is a total loss. A cause of the fire is yet to be determined. Officials believe the fire started in a bedroom. They say the home did not have working smoke detectors.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but at the Monday afternoon news conference, officials said that their first impressions based on the initial investigation are that the fire does not seem suspicious in nature.
