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Bedbugs Behind Blaze That Left 5 Injured, 48 Unit Apartment Building Destroyed?

DETROIT (WWJ) - A woman trying to rid her Detroit apartment of bedbugs is being blamed for a fire that sent five people to the hospital Tuesday and left dozens homeless.

Detroit Arson Chief Charles Simms says the woman sprayed her mattress and other items with rubbing alcohol and had the stove on ... igniting the blaze at the building on Outer Drive.

"I think the investigator concluding that she did not have intent to set the place -- set the apartment on fire," said Simms. "She just really had some really bad judgement."

The 48-unit apartment building was completely destroyed by the fire. "It was quite a bit (of rubbing alcohol) that she distributed," said Simms.

The prosecutor will decide whether any charges are filed.

The woman and a firefighter suffered face and neck burns and three other people were sent to the hospital with less serious injuries.

No word on their recovery.

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