Man dies in Novi blaze; firefighter injured
Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News
NOVI -- One man died in a mobile home fire Saturday afternoon and two other people barely escaped.
When firefighters arrived on the 29800 block of Montmorency, flames were shooting out of the metal home and they were not able to easily get inside, Fire Chief Frank Smith.
The chief refused to identify the victim until his family is notified of the death. The man's girlfriend and a friend escaped without injury, he said.
Heat quickly builds in this type of home, which contributed to the difficulty firefighters had in battling the blaze, although they were able to keep it from spreading, Smith said.
"It is basically a closed, metal container," Smith said. "There is nowhere for the heat to go. I'm sure that is what impeded the victim from getting out of the home."
A firefighter suffered burns to his face in the blaze and was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Smith did not know the firefighter's condition, but said the burn did not appear life-threatening.
The fire was reported about 11:58 a.m. and firefighters were on the scene about four minutes later, Smith said.
There is a fire station located only about three-quarters of a mile from the mobile home, Smith said.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080315/METRO02/803150410/1409/METRO
Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News
NOVI -- One man died in a mobile home fire Saturday afternoon and two other people barely escaped.
When firefighters arrived on the 29800 block of Montmorency, flames were shooting out of the metal home and they were not able to easily get inside, Fire Chief Frank Smith.
The chief refused to identify the victim until his family is notified of the death. The man's girlfriend and a friend escaped without injury, he said.
Heat quickly builds in this type of home, which contributed to the difficulty firefighters had in battling the blaze, although they were able to keep it from spreading, Smith said.
"It is basically a closed, metal container," Smith said. "There is nowhere for the heat to go. I'm sure that is what impeded the victim from getting out of the home."
A firefighter suffered burns to his face in the blaze and was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Smith did not know the firefighter's condition, but said the burn did not appear life-threatening.
The fire was reported about 11:58 a.m. and firefighters were on the scene about four minutes later, Smith said.
There is a fire station located only about three-quarters of a mile from the mobile home, Smith said.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080315/METRO02/803150410/1409/METRO
