By Carol Thompson
The Detroit News
SOUTHGATE, Mich. — A Southgate police officer raced through the second floor of American House Southgate on Friday night searching for people who needed to be evacuated from a burning senior living facility.
Body camera footage released Sunday by the Southgate Police Department shows the dramatic rescue as an officer pounds on residents’ doors to warn them of the quickly burning fire that by then had spread through roughly half of the building. Smoke is visible in the hallway he moves through, and he calls for backup between coughs.
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“I’m on the second floor,” the officer said. “I’ve got a bunch of people trapped up here. I need as much help as I can get.”
A fire, which reignited Sunday afternoon and sent first responders back to the scene, broke out at American House Southgate, 16333 Allen Road, at about 10 p.m. Friday night. Police said there were 87 residents and staff in the building at the time. All of them are accounted for, authorities said. Two people, including a firefighter, were treated for injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The city of Southgate is taking monetary donations for the victims of the fire, according to a post on its Facebook page.
It is working directly with the facility to help residents with immediate needs. People with questions can call Mayor Joseph Kuspa’s office at (734) 258-3022 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays.
The Friday blaze was so intense it was visible from the road. A Southgate police officer said he could see flames and smoke rising from the roof of the building as he approached in a police vehicle at 10:09 p.m., according to dash camera footage also released by the department Sunday.
“Oh yeah, it’s going quick,” the officer said before asking dispatchers to send Wyandotte police to the scene as well. “I’ve got a pretty good fire. Flames are coming out of the roof. I’m going to need as much help as I can to get the people out.”
Half the multi-story building appeared to be on fire, the officer told dispatchers.
In another dash camera video by the department, firefighters and police officers are seen racing into the building at 10:13 p.m. as firefighters hose the flames.
Neighbors, community leaders and elected officials praised the first responders who responded to the Friday night blaze.
A second fire sparked at the senior living facility Sunday, but it was less intense than the Friday fire, police said. Police blocked the entrance to the facility as firefighters worked to extinguish the flames.
ckthompson@detroitnews.com
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