Fire At Southfield Apartment Bldg Leaves Dozens Without Home
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - A nightmare. That's what more than two dozen residents inside a Southfield high-rise are calling this bone chilling morning ... after many discover they may never be able to return to their homes after a three alarm fire breaks out.
The blaze happened inside the Providence Tower apartments on 9 Mile on the coldest overnight of the year.
Southfield Fire says the building sustained significant damage -- and could be shut down.
Southeast Michigan Red Cross Spokeswoman Allison Koenigbauer tells WWJ they helped several families during the early morning hours -- some went to hotels -- and some others were lucky enough to stay in their home.
"People on the seventh floor of the building as well as a couple on the eigth floor - they were able to stay in the building - however we did provide cots," said Koenigbauer.
We did provide cots and blankets ... for them to sleep with, as well as toiletries," she said "In the areas where they were able to sleep - there is no furniture so we provided a place for them to sleep for the night, a warm place."
Southfield Fire says a cooking incident appears to be the cause of fire, but the incident is still under investigation.
The Southfield Homeland Security and Emergency Management Director Bill Johns says they will find new homes for the more than two dozen residents impacted by the fire at the high-rise.
