DETROIT – Police are searching for a person of interest that ran from officers during an interview after two Detroit firefighters were injured battling a house fire Wednesday morning on the city’s west side that authorities say was intentionally set.
EARLIER REPORT: 2 Detroit firefighters injured battling house fire on Minock Street
The fire started shortly after 4 a.m. in the 8500 block of Minock Street, which is near Joy Road and Evergreen Road. Investigators say a flammable liquid was poured near a window and the home was set on fire. Authorities say the fire burned for a while before emergency crews were called to the home.
Breaking: West side house fire is arson. Flammable liquid poured, burned for a while before 911 was called. #local4 pic.twitter.com/Juf5nmvQMi
— Nick Monacelli (@nickmonacelli) July 26, 2017
Firefighters were told someone was trapped inside.
“You go into what we call rescue mode,” Deputy Fire Commissioner Dave Fornell said. “While they’re stretching the hose lines, waiting to get water, people actually went into the fire.”
Three firefighters went running into the house as the fire flashed over, erupting and filling the home with flames, forcing the firefighters to jump out of windows to escape. Two of the firefighters suffered burns. Both were taken to the hospital. One of the firefighters was released. Neither suffered life-threatening injuries.
Fire officials said no one was ever trapped inside the home.
Authorities spoke to a young man at the scene about the incident when he suddenly took off on foot. The Chevy Trailblazer he was driving was left running at the scene.
Stay with Local 4 and ClickonDetroit.com as the story develops.
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