SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – Dozens of residents at the Oxley Apartments, across from Providence Hospital on 9 Mile Road, started their Thursday morning with firefighters banging on their doors telling them to evacuate.
“They were beating on the door saying everybody had to leave the apartment, and the apartment was on fire,” Darlene Spencer, a resident at the complex, said. “Right now, I have some damage done, some smoke damage, as well as physical damage done to my apartment.”
The fire alarms went off just before 3 a.m. as smoke began filling the apartments.
This is not the way anyone wanted to start their day, and more than two dozen people will be looking for a place to stay as they head into this bitterly cold weekend.
The three-alarm fire had crews using ladders to get residents out of multiple floors, with crews from Royal Oak, Madison Heights, Ferndale, Bloomfield Township, and Birmingham assisting in putting it out.
Unfortunately, it also left a number of families out in the bitter cold weather.
“We have 9 families negatively affected by this fire,” Deputy Fire Chief Mark Jackson said. “We’re trying to make sure that they get temporary shelter and possible transport to those shelters with help from the Red Cross.”
By Thursday afternoon, the damage was evident on one side of the building, with a number of windows either open or broken, and extensive smoke damage.
Spencer said her ceiling was about to cave in due to water damage, but she’s happy no one was seriously hurt and that it could’ve been a lot worse.
“I thank God,” she said. “Skip that material stuff. I’m happier that I’m still here and everybody that was on my floor is safe.”
Unfortunately, it did leave a number of families out in the cold, and two people were hospitalized with smoke inhalation. In total, 27 people were displaced – along with two dogs.
The Red Cross is offering help to anyone who has been displaced by this fire, particularly as cold temperatures are about to drop again.
Anyone who has been displaced can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.