DETROIT – A mother was able to escape, but her son died in a house fire on Detroit’s west side.
The fire occurred on Thursday (Oct. 23) at 4:32 p.m. in the 18198 block of Patton Street.
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Detroit Fire Department Senior Chief Leo Spitzig said fire crews encountered the fire in the ninth dwelling that started in the basement of the home where the man lived.
“Fire crews encountered a fire in the ninth dwelling that started in the basement,” said Spitzig. “They made an effort, a push, and did a great job, but unfortunately, an individual was discovered in the basement who could not be rescued.”
Officials say the fire appeared to have started in the basement, but the cause is still under investigation.
Their arson squad is on the scene and will make a determination.
Spitzig said the 44-year-old man’s mother was exiting the house when she informed fire crews that her son was still inside.
“The only report fire crews encountered was the individual found in the basement,” Spitzig said. “The mother was exiting the house, and she informed fire crews when they pulled up that her son was still inside of the dwelling in the basement.”
Spitzig said grief counselors would be available to the family.
“The DFD, we are very saddened about this,” Spitzig said. “The crews did the best they could; unfortunately, this individual passed away. We are really saddened about it, and we hope the mother is going to be OK. We will have grief counselors at all of the firehouses to talk to our individual members as well.”
Detroit Fire Department Senior Chief Leo Spitzig talks about the deadly housefire on the city’s west side:
