Macomb County Family With Babies Displaced After Fire Destroys Home
MACOMB TWP. (WWJ) - A family with twin baby girls is picking up the pieces after their Macomb County home was destroyed by fire just a week before Christmas.
The fire took off early Thursday morning at a two-story home on Barbara Drive, in a neighborhood near 21 Mile and Hayes roads in Macomb Township.
Fire Chief Bob Phillips said the family told investigators the power went out and then they heard a noise from the back deck area, which is where the blaze might have started. When firefighters arrived at the home, the second floor was completely engulfed in flames.
"Our crews were around the corner when the call came in. It took them about two-and-a-half minutes (to get here)," Phillips told WWJ's Mike Campbell. "When it first came in, we knew that the building was occupied. It was a normal response -- the three engines, the truck company, a heavy rescue."
Jack Koja, who lives nearby, said he heard what sounded like an explosion before the fire.
"The explosion was in the back, it started in the back. It was, I mean, little explosions when it started with big ones after," he said.
"And then there was a big boom and I saw fire coming from the backyard first and then it went all the way to the house," said Koja's wife, Seba.
Luckily, the family was able to safely escape the fire.
"So far everyone is fine, no injuries, so everyone is doing good," Phillips said. "We're working on trying to get the family assistance, they've got twin 11-month-old babies. We're in the process of getting some car seats so they can get those twins to a safer location."
Phillips said it's too early to tell what caused the fire, or if Christmas decorations might have played a part. An investigation is ongoing.
"There's nothing yet, no red flags or anything that appears suspicious at this time," he said.
Shelby Township firefighters assisted Macomb Township crews at the scene.
