85-year-old Ypsilanti Township woman killed, husband injured in house fire
An Ypsilanti Township firefighter exits a home that caught fire and claimed the life of an 85-year-old woman Thursday evening.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
An 85-year-old woman was killed and her 86-year-old husband was injured when a fire swept through their Ypsilanti Township home this evening.
The man was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital, and his condition wasn't available as of 7 p.m., authorities said.
The blaze at the home in the 5800 block of Stony Creek Road, near the intersection of Textile Road, was reported at about 5 p.m., Washtenaw County Sheriff's spokesman Derrick Jackson said.
The home was a total loss, and the cause of the fire has not been determined. Officials were investigating whether an electrical heating source was to blame.
Flames were shooting from the side and top of the home when crews arrived, Jackson said.
The woman was in a back bedroom when the fire broke out, Jackson said. She was rescued by two Ypsilanti Township firefighters who began performing CPR, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, he said. It's not clear where the man was inside the home.
"He made it out of the house on his own power, and she was rescued and pulled out of the house, but couldn't make it," Jackson said.
The fire was under control by about 6:30 p.m.
Neighbor Mary Lou Prain moved in 38 years ago and said the couple had lived there the entire time.
"I didn't know them real well but I've known them for years," she said. "I saw the fire, it was really going up, but I didn't really see anything."
Firefighters from Ypsilanti Township, Ypsilanti, Pittsfield Township and Ann Arbor battled the blaze.
Comments
Muscrat
Wed, Feb 9, 2011 : 12:44 p.m.
That neighbor the reporter spoke with really didn't make sense. "I've known them for years, but didn't know them well" & "It was really going up but I didn't see much". Why did you publish that? There was lots of family around the scene, you couldn't find one of them to interview? This is why I don't get the paper anymore - too many incorrect and useless information. By the way - she was 87.
FireTimes
Sat, Feb 5, 2011 : 9:30 p.m.
Condolences to the family, and well wishes for the recovery of the husband. Being involved in a fatal fire is always taxing on the Emergency personnel as well, so here's a good thought for all involved as well. In regards to the earlier (insensitive) comment about the definition of rescued; Since no person is declared truly dead until seen by someone medically qualified, being rescued from the environment is usually considered being removed from that environment. No different than drowning victims as well. Whether it was lack of sugar for your coffee, a rough drive on the road, or just plain old being callous, I don't see where the wording matters anyways when the death of a person is the case. Tacky.
Anne Herlocher
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 6:27 p.m.
My Heart and Prayers go out to them I have been there newspaper carrier about 18 years now, My heart and prayers are with the family and friends Anne Herlocher
Hal and Rosemary Brooks
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.
Wonderful life! Great wife, mother, sister, and she is now with the Lord. I'm so sorry for the pain that Freeman is going through both loosing Grace and the burns. God Bless the whole family. Many prayers are going up for Freeman's speedy recovery.
Cash
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 12:07 p.m.
Heartbreaking. My sympathies to the family of this couple. I'm so sorry for your loss.
BTPud
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:30 a.m.
How heartbreaking. My prayers go out to this man and his family in such an awful time.
michelle
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:42 a.m.
REST IN PEACE AUNT GRACE.... we miss you already..... we love you
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:40 a.m.
the fire is actually just north of the intersetion of hitchingham and stoney creek. wcsd has stoney creek closed at hitchingham and just south of the cvs entrance off stoney creek.
Indicat
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:25 a.m.
The husband is in my prayers. It's going to be tough for him with his wife gone. So sad.
Soothslayer
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 12:52 p.m.
He also lost his house. I can't imagine either or both at the same time. Hopefully they can determine the cause so we can learn and something positive can come from this tragedy.
michelle
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 2:03 a.m.
thank you for your prayers...it is appreciated
lynel
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 12:32 a.m.
Twice this article states that the woman was rescued. If she was dead she wasn't exactly rescued from the fire.
Soothslayer
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:18 p.m.
Agree. Due to the choice of words readers would assume that rescued would mean she was saved. According to Wikipedia: Rescue - verb: refers to operations that usually involve the saving of life, or prevention of injury. Recover - verb: to get back or regain (something lost or taken away)
2WheelsGood
Fri, Feb 4, 2011 : 1:08 a.m.
It is possible to be rescued and still die later.