The cause of the fire at the house on Ten Mile Road is still under investigation

 

Just before 5 a.m. on Tuesday April 1, Farmington Hills Police and Fire Departments received frantic 911 calls reporting a residential fire in the 29000 block of Ten Mile Road. The caller indicated that individuals were trapped inside. Farmington Hills Police officers were first on scene, in less than 90 second, with units from all five Farmington Hills Fire Stations arriving shortly after.

 

Upon arrival, officers observed the home fully engulfed in flames. A resident on the scene reported that multiple adults and children were still trapped inside the home.

 

Farmington Hills Police Officers Devin Hunt, Muhieddine (Dean) Turk, and Timothy Shingleton immediately rushed to the rear of the property and forcibly entered through a back door. Working through intense smoke, heat and flames, officers discovered an unconscious man trapped between a cabinet and a wall with a seven-year-old child pinned beneath him. While the officers worked to free the man and child, officers assisted a second adult man to crawl over the man and safely out of the home. When the officers successfully freed the child, an officer carried her to safety. Officers were able to drag the unconscious man toward a rear door, where he regained consciousness and crawled out of the house with officer assistance.

 

“I am extremely proud of the selfless and heroic actions of these officers, who risked their lives to rescue these residents,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott. “We remain hopeful and are praying for the full recovery of the officers involved and the residents who were rescued.”

 

Officer Antoneta Bucaj responded to a side door, where she assisted one adult and one child in getting out of the home. Police officers also rescued two cats from the residence, which are currently being treatment at a local animal hospital. The other two adults and one child were already outside of the home upon arrival.

 

"The heroic actions of these four police officers exemplify the very best of public service. Without hesitation, they rushed into danger to rescue residents trapped in the burning home, demonstrating extraordinary courage and selflessness,” said Farmington Hills Fire Chief Jon Unruh. “Their swift response, coupled with the Fire Department's immediate medical attention and transportation of all twelve individuals to the hospital, likely prevented a tragic outcome. This incident serves as a powerful reminder of why working smoke alarms are absolutely critical in every home. These simple devices provide the early warning that can make the difference between life and death in an emergency. We are profoundly grateful to these brave officers and fire personnel for their exceptional service to our community."

 

When the first Farmington Hills Fire crews arrived on scene, Farmington Hills Police officers notified them that all occupants were outside of the home. The Farmington Hills Fire crews found the southeast corner of the home fully involved and were able to quickly bring the fire under control. In total, 23 Farmington Hills Fire Department personnel responded to the fire, who cared for and transported the 12 patients, in addition to extinguishing the fire.

 

Farmington Hills firefighter/paramedics transported eight occupants of the home, along with four officers, to Corewell Health Farmington Hills Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. One adult woman and an infant were treated and released. The other individuals were later transported to the following hospitals:

•     Four adults were transported to the University of Michigan, three of whom remain in serious condition on ventilators.
•          Two children were transported to University of Michigan CS Mott Children’s Hospital.
•          Four officers were transported to DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital. Three officers remain in serious, but stable condition and are currently on ventilators.

The cause of the fire is under investigation and updates will be provided as they are available. The Farmington Hill Fire Department would like to thank Livonia and West Bloomfield Fire Departments for providing mutual aid during this incident.

 

Body camera footage from the Farmington Hills Police Department was released to the media at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

 

Press Release PDF