SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – A woman in her 70s was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead after a fire in Southfield, officials said.
Officials said a functioning fire suppression system and fast action from neighbors saved additional lives in a fire at around 5 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at a high-rise apartment building in the 24000 block of Civic Center Drive.
All five Southfield fire department stations responded to extinguish the fire on on the fourth floor of the building. When they arrived, they found a woman in her 70s unresponsive. Despite attempts to save her life, she was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Officials said a working smoke detector alerted neighbors to the fire who quickly contacted 911. A working overhead sprinkler system also suppressed flames and kept the fire from spreading.
“Today, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the deceased victim,” Southfield fire chief Johnny Menifee said. “This tragedy accentuates the importance of always having working smoke detectors in all dwellings and sprinkler suppression systems in large living spaces. I applaud the quick action of neighbors and our firefighters for their consummate professionalism and bravery.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.