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Firefighters Extinguish Blaze At East Side Apartment Complex

DETROIT (WWJ) - Dozens of Detroiters were forced from their homes after a fire broke out at an apartment complex on the city's east side.

The incident happened early Tuesday morning at a three-building complex on Chalmers Street, near I-94 and Outer Drive.

Fire Chief Robert Valgoy said the fire started in one of the complex's back units, but everyone was able to make it out safely.

"It was back in an apartment that had a lot of garbage and refuse piled up," Valgoy told WWJ's Mike Campbell.

Lamont Parker, who was at the complex visiting his aunt, said he thought he smelled gas when he walked outside and saw flames on the roof.

"I threw some water up there and got that side off, and then I turned around and the whole other apartment, it was just blazing," he said.

Valgoy said it's too early to tell what caused the fire.

"We haven't determined [if it was arson] yet, everything is under investigation right there for that," he said.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.

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