SOUTHGATE, Mich. – Southgate police have released new footage of the intense fire that broke out Friday, Oct. 24, at the American House senior living facility on Allen Road near Dix Toledo and Pennsylvania Avenue.
Southgate Fire Chief Justin Graves confirmed that as of 2 a.m. on Oct 25, there were no known injuries or fatalities.
“We don’t know yet how it started, but everyone is accounted for. We are making sure no one is missing,” he said.
Graves also praised the heroic efforts of first responders. “It’s an incredible effort by everyone on scene -- police and firefighters risking their lives to get all these people out safely. Hats off to them.”
The fire spread rapidly after reaching the attic, making it difficult to control.
“Once it got into the attic, it spread like wildfire, similar to a fire at a nearby senior living facility a few years ago,” Graves explained. “That building had the same design with an unsprinkled attic, which is a big problem.”
The building’s layout posed challenges for evacuation.
“Many residents need assistance getting out, and once they’re out, they need a safe place to go because this is their home,” Graves said.
All residents were evacuated to the Southgate Senior Center, where the Red Cross provided support and shelter.
First responders arrived quickly, with some police officers entering the building ahead of firefighters to start evacuations.
The fire call came in around 10 p.m. and was immediately upgraded to a box alarm, prompting multiple communities to respond, including all of Downriver and Detroit.