911 caller runs into burning apartment, helps rescue tenants

Woman helps rescue 5 residents from fire

LAKE ORION, Mich. – A resident of the apartment at 35 N. Broadway St. in Lake Orion helped rescue five tenants from a fire that engulfed the building Wednesday.

Police say that 33-year-old Emily Bates, who lives in the apartment structure, left minutes before the fire to go to a store. When she returned a 11:51 p.m., she saw flames on the porch of the building near a support pillar. Bates stopped her car in the middle of the street and called 911 before rushing into the building and waking five sleeping residents.

Recommended Videos



All five of the residents were able to safely leave the building. There were no injuries during the incident.

Authorities were able to extinguish the flames shortly after Bates led the residents out of the building.

"Although we do not recommend citizens enter a burning building, in this case Emily determined the potential for loss of human life outweighed the risk," said Chief Jerry Narsh. "Her actions and that of the LOPD officer prevented what easily could have been a fatal event for several people, and another disastrous fire in the downtown area."

Narsh said the cause of the fire is currently unknown, but the area where the fire started on the porch is where tenants often sit and smoke, since smoking is not allowed inside the apartment. Lake Orion police found an ashtray at the base of the fire and other indicators that the area is a common spot for smoking.