Detroit Fire Department launches investigation after women in bikinis seen dancing on firetruck

Video shows women in bikinis twerking on Detroit firetruck

DETROIT – Video that shows girls in bikinis twerking on a Detroit firetruck has caused a stir on the internet, but some say it's not what it seems.

It probably seemed like a good idea at the time. Detroit firefighters stopped their firetruck at a car wash to support a locally owned business.

The Jet Spa and Ultra Wash on Second and Clairmount avenues is a vehicle detail shop with a grill next door. The owners said they were having a grand opening celebration complete with food, music and girls washing cars in bikinis.

Workers said they wanted to show off their new power washer.

"The Fire Department was driving by and they didn't believe this little machine, even though it's powerful, could wash the truck," Jie Hemphill II said. "So we wanted to demonstrate that we are the real deal in the city."

As innocent as it may have been intended to be, video shows three girls in bikinis twerking on the back of a Detroit fire truck with what appears to be a man wearing a Detroit firefighter shirt putting dollar bills in the women's swimsuits.

Workers at the car wash said the video is being misinterpreted.

Sign up for ClickOnDetroit Email Newsletters (click here) for more stories like this.

"Firefighters come here often, and they come here for lunch, and they show their admiration for the business and how it's painted," Hemphill said. "And they encourage us to do more work."

"The men and women of the Detroit Fire Department risk their lives every day, saving lives and protecting the property of our citizens," Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said in a statement. "Unfortunately, this type of behavior only serves to detract from the image that our firefighters have worked so hard to earn in the community. An internal investigation is underway."


About the Authors

You can watch Kimberly Gill weekdays anchoring Local 4 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. and streaming live at 10 p.m. on Local 4+. She's an award-winning journalist who finally called Detroit home in 2014. Kim has won Regional Emmy Awards, and was part of the team that won the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast in 2022.

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

Recommended Videos