First responders from Southgate and neighboring agencies evacuated residents amid heavy flames at American House

The Detroit News

SOUTHGATE, Mich. — First responders are being hailed as heroes after safely evacuating residents from a burning Southgate assisted living facility Friday night.

A large structure fire was reported at American House Southgate, 16333 Allen Road, just after 10 p.m. Friday, according to a release from the Southgate Police Department. The assisted living facility is next to the Meadows of Southgate, a senior citizen apartment complex that burned two years ago.

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In an interview with WDIV Local 4, Southgate Fire Chief Justin Graves said people were saying the similarities between the fires are “wild.”

Three people were hospitalized after the Meadows of Southgate fire, and Graves said it was the biggest fire he had seen in his then-20 years with the department.

Upon arriving at American House Southgate on Friday, first responders saw heavy flames and smoke coming from the building, and Southgate officers, along with law enforcement and firefighters from neighboring communities, immediately began evacuating residents, the release said.

All the residents were accounted for. Some were taken to local hospitals for further evaluation and treatment, the release said.

Southgate Fire Chief Justin Graves called the first responders’ efforts “incredible” in the WDIV Local 4 interview Friday night and said it would be a miracle if no one was seriously hurt.

“The police, all the fire that showed up on scene, putting their life on the line to run in there to get all these people out. Hats off to them,” Graves told the TV station.

Southgate Councilwoman Victoria Araj commended first responders from Southgate and other communities that assisted for their efforts.

“First responders are our everyday heroes and I can’t say thank you enough for making sure all the families of those evacuated got the most important news, that their loved ones were safe,” Araj said on social media Saturday.

The residents were taken to the Southgate Senior Center for temporary shelter and assistance. Most residents have since been reunited with their families, the release said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The Southgate Fire Department is working to determine the circumstances surrounding the fire.

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