Southgate fire at American House leaves seniors displaced

• The American Home impartial and supported senior dwelling house in Southgate caught hearth round 10pm on Friday, October 24.
• Police say seniors have been evacuated from the constructing and reunited with household or taken to the Southgate Senior Middle as restoration efforts proceed.
• Based on police, all residents have been recovered safely.

This story has been up to date with further data.

A serious hearth on the American Home impartial dwelling facility in Southgate late Friday, Oct. 24, resulted in seniors being compelled from their properties, in keeping with police.

Southgate law enforcement officials have been dispatched to 16333 Allen Highway at roughly 10:06 p.m., the place they noticed heavy flames and smoke coming from the constructing and commenced evacuating residents, in keeping with an Oct. 25 division information launch.

As of Saturday afternoon, all residents have been recognized as secure. Based on Southgate Police, there have been a complete of 87 residents and workers within the constructing on the time of the hearth.

Two individuals have been injured, a civilian and a firefighter. Each are receiving applicable medical care, in keeping with police. One cat has been reported to have died. Emergency providers rescued three canines.

Following the hearth, a number of residents have been transported to native hospitals for analysis and remedy, whereas others have been transported to the Southgate Senior Middle, 14700 Reaume Parkway, in keeping with Southgate Police.

As of the afternoon of Saturday, October 25, 17 individuals require non permanent placement, police stated.

Most residents have been reunited with their households and others stay on the Southgate Senior Middle as restoration efforts proceed, Southgate police stated.

Shanna Caughill of Taylor has a fantastic aunt and uncle who reside in American Home. She found the hearth when her mother-in-law was scrolling by way of Fb on Friday night and noticed a submit about it within the Downriver and Mates group. Caughill known as relations who have been in a position to coordinate to choose the couple up from the scene of the hearth.

“Due to the submit, our household knew straight away,” Caughill stated.

Many residents have misplaced their belongings.

“It is simply devastating,” Caughill stated. “My nice aunt and uncle are of their 90s and have misplaced the whole lot. My aunt is anxious about it however we informed them we’ll change it however we won’t change them and we’re so grateful they’re secure and right here.”

Caughill stated her household will look after her aunt and uncle, however there could also be different affected residents who want help.

Fb posts are circulating about gathering donations for the affected seniors. Based on Southgate Police, the senior heart is just not asking for added donations as of Saturday afternoon.

“They’ve already obtained an abundance of neighborhood help and sources,” the information launch stated.

Michigan State Police troopers, together with officers and firefighters from different Downriver departments, additionally responded to the scene to help with the evacuation, extinguish the hearth and transport residents from the scene, in keeping with a launch from MSP Second District at X.

The Southgate Fireplace Division and helping companies will proceed to work to safe the constructing and start a radical investigation into the reason for the hearth, the Saturday afternoon information launch stated.

Contact Natalie Davies at ndavies@freepress.com.