PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Plymouth Township apartment fire destroys units, displaces residents
Residents of Hines Park Place Apartments in Plymouth Township were forced from their homes Thursday after a fire tore through the complex, destroying several units.
“I was reading a book, and then I was going to take a nap, so to speak, and that’s when they banged on the door and said get out,” said Penny Striegel, a resident of the complex.
Crews from multiple departments responded to the blaze near Wilcox and Haggerty roads.
Within 30 minutes of the fire’s start, the building’s roof collapsed, and flames spread to an adjacent section of the complex.
“I’m not a firefighter, but it was really bad. Really frightening to look at,” said Theresa Valchine, who lives at the complex.
Investigation ongoing
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Plymouth Township Fire Chief Pat Conely said the blaze could be tied to an electrical issue and that some of the affected homes may be a total loss.
“Unfortunately, we don’t want to see anybody lose their homes, but at least no one was hurt,” Conely said.
One firefighter was injured during the response but returned to duty shortly after.
Pets, residents reunited amid the rubble
A handful of residents were away from home when the fire broke out and were unable to reach their pets.
Most animals were accounted for, Conely said. A firefighter was seen handing a rescued cat back to its owner, a brief moment of relief amid the smoke and destruction.
“Praise the lord that everything is okay,” Valchine said. “Our firefighters and our police are so brave, so in this terrible tragedy, there’s silver linings, I guess you’d say.”
Salvation Army Disaster Services was on scene to assist displaced residents with the next steps.