Posted on Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 3:15 p.m.
Family of seven safe after fire guts their Ypsilanti Township apartment
By Suzy Sherman
A family of seven escaped uninjured after a fire gutted their two-bedroom Ypsilanti Township apartment this afternoon, according to township fire officials.
At 12:50 p.m., Ypsilanti Township firefighters responded to a call of a fire at George Place Apartments.
A teen-aged family member had been cooking and left hot grease on the stove, which then caught fire, according to Lt. Vic Chevrette. An adult family member was the only other person in the apartment at the time, he said.
"The family has been relocated to another unit in the apartment building and they are receiving Red Cross assistance," he said.
Superior Township firefighters also responded with a tanker, and the city Ypsilanti sent out several firefighters.
They had the fire under control by 1:18 p.m.
Comments
thedime
Fri, Oct 16, 2009 : 4:16 p.m.
I'm thinking some members of this posting community should get out to parts of the county and see how everyone lives and works. Unlike those of you who live in Valhalla,others don't have it this easy. I think some major eye opening is needed, rather than making ignorant comments about the number of people who live in a particular unit or about the owner who may have no idea. Having actually been called to the scene of this incident, it is heart wrenching to see the devestation and heart ache of the occupants. I am just asking for people to be a little more open minded.
roadsidedinerlover
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 11:28 p.m.
Isn't this amount of people in one apartment against the housing code in this county? It seems dangerous to have so many people living in a small 2 BR. Still, I fault the slumlord that allowed this to happen. Anything for a buck...I hope the family is getting help!
jrigglem
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 10:51 p.m.
No one HAS to live like that. There are options available to a family in need. Especially help with rent, and cash assistance. Nor does anyone have to stay in Michigan.
watcherinypsi
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 6:28 p.m.
jrigglem, obviously you've never heard of poverty. Or realized that Michigan is in a major recession and some families HAVE to live like this. Thank God no one was hurt.
jrigglem
Thu, Oct 15, 2009 : 5:03 p.m.
Why are there 7 people in a two bedroom apartment?