Firefighters battle massive fire at vacant apartment building in Detroit

DETROIT – Firefighters battled a massive vacant apartment building fire Monday morning on Detroit's west side.

The fire happened on Tyler Street, in the area of Davison Street and Dexter Avenue. The first call came in at about 3:30 a.m.

Sources said the fire has already been deemed arson and that multiple fires were set in the basement which spread to the rest of the four-story building.

“The fire was discovered by two arson investigators that were out on patrol,” said Deputy Detroit Fire Commissioner Dave Fornell. “When they first saw the fire it was in the basement and there were multiple spots where the fire was burning so there going to call it an arson fire.”

This fire comes during the 3-day Angels’ Night patrols in Detroit.  Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said crews battled more than a dozen fires so far. That number of fires is not more than an average night.

Volunteers are needed for Angels' Night patrols in neighborhoods across the city. To sign up, call 313-224-4415.

Here is Nick Monacelli's report from the scene at about 4:40 a.m.: