Stopped Train Delays Response To House Fire For 20 Minutes

NEW BOSTON, Mich. (WWJ/AP) - Residents of a southeastern Michigan community are upset after stopped train delayed crews from responding to a fire.

No one was injured in Wednesday's fire at an unoccupied home in New Boston. Firefighters were forced to take a longer route to the house, and neighbors say that resulted in a delay of roughly 20 minutes in responding.

The house was destroyed.

Residents used cellphones to record video and take photos. Stephanie Layne, who lives near the home that burned, told WXYZ-TV that she worries a 911 call for an injury or illness might see a similar delay.

"It makes me mad, it makes me very scared," she said.

Rufus Thames, who also lives nearby, says trains often "sit there for hours at a time" blocking the route to their neighborhood.

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