Just after 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 18, the Sterling Heights Fire Department was alerted to an apartment fire in progress at Seville Terrace Apartments, off 15 Mile Road between Maple Lane and Dodge Park.
Upon arrival of the first fire crew, a well-involved fire was found in a first floor apartment, which was extending to the second floor rapidly. Heavy smoke was also spreading throughout the complex and fire crews were advised that there were possible victims trapped on the second floor. All resources were requested from the five SHFD stations and a second alarm was called to bring help from neighboring communities.
According to Fire Chief Chris Martin, SHFD crews were able to make a quick attack on the fire and search the second floor. A 75-year-old female resident needed to be rescued from a second floor balcony and was not injured. There were no other injuries reported. The second alarm was cancelled before assistance from the neighboring communities arrived on scene, however crews from Clinton Township, Utica and Shelby Townships stayed in Sterling Heights to fill vacant fire stations and handle other incidents until the SHFD crews could be made available once again.
Chief Martin reported the apartment building suffered some slight fire and significant smoke damage and there were eight (8) families temporarily displaced. The unit of fire’s origin suffered significant fire damage. The fire remains under investigation.
“I’m proud of the Sterling Heights Fire Department after this incident, as their fast response and hard work quickly brought this situation under control with no loss of life or injuries,” Martin said.
Anyone with additional questions about the incident can contact Assistant Fire Chief Ed Miller at emiller@sterling-heights.net or Community Relations Director Bridget Kozlowski at bkoz@sterling-heights.net or by calling (586) 446-2471.