Engine 50 Acting Chief Gene Biondo said firefighters "hope it get better" if Detroit gets an EFM. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
With tens of thousands of abandoned houses and dozens of arsons every day, Detroit firefighters are trying to respond with limited resources in the cash strapped city.
A ladder truck returned from a run Wednesday at Engine 50. It had been a busy morning on the city's east side as they responded to four suspicious fires between midnight and 8:00 a.m. sometimes well out of their area.
"Throughout the city we have companies that are browned out daily, and we still have to cover. We have 150 square miles. Doesn't matter how many companies there are. If we have to send one rig, you've got to cover," said Engine 50 Acting Chief Gene Biondo.
On any given day in the City of Detroit, a number of vehicles are simply out of service. On Wednesday, eight trucks and three engines were simply not available.
Near Mack and Chalmers, the block is full of properties that have burned.
"It's just like a four or five alarm fire somebody deliberately set, and it just burnt all the houses and caught [one on fire where] people were actually living there at that time," said Thomas Howard. "It's just a disaster. It's just sad."
The house where Howard lived during his childhood is gone.
Seeme Zendeli owns Krazy Pizza nearby across the street from a building that has been set on fire several times.
"We've only been here about two-and-a-half year. This last six months, I've been seeing more of it," he said.
The Detroit Fire Department responded to 38,000 runs last year. They're waiting for the ladders to be certified on their trucks. They're not supposed to use them, but will in an emergency when needed for a rescue. Now an emergency financial manager could be coming in and with it hope things will get better.
"If it comes in, we hope it gets better. We control what we can control, and we adjust to what we can," Biondo said. "We're just trying to get by, trying to stay alive, go home to your family in the morning. That's all."
Monday, May 20 2013 7:30 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:30:05 GMT
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
There are new developments in the murder of a young woman in Grosse Pointe Park. Police have a person in custody in connection with the death of Sabrina Gianino, who was found strangled last week.
Friday, May 17 2013 8:43 PM EDT2013-05-18 00:43:34 GMT
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Sabrina Gianino was found dead with a cord around her neck inside a Grosse Pointe Park home early Thursday morning. The medical examiner has ruled her death a homicide.
Friday, May 17 2013 7:48 PM EDT2013-05-17 23:48:59 GMT
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
A Molotov cocktail was thrown through a kitchen window of a waterfront mansion on Whittier Street in Grosse Pointe Park around 3:20 a.m. Friday. Fortunately, someone inside put it out.
Thursday, May 16 2013 9:37 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:37:11 GMT
Livonia firefighters had to break the windows of a ranch home on Oporto, trying to get to the homeowner. Once inside, they found the 60-year-old woman and her three dogs in a bedroom overcome by smoke.
Livonia firefighters had to break the windows of a ranch home on Oporto, trying to get to the homeowner. Once inside, they found the 60-year-old woman and her three dogs in a bedroom overcome by smoke.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:03:37 GMT
He is an aging war hero with an aging dog named Buddy that has been his faithful companion for 14 years. However, he can't care for him any longer, and his son says the last thing he wants to do is put the dog to sleep.
He is an aging war hero with an aging dog named Buddy that has been his faithful companion for 14 years. However, he can't care for him any longer, and his son says the last thing he wants to do is put the dog to sleep.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:43 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:43:15 GMT
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through a previously scoreless game, helping the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks 3-1 on Monday night for a 2-1 series lead.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:35:00 GMT
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Police say a 55-year-old woman is dead and two men are wounded following a shooting at a vacant Detroit residence believed to have been used for drug activity.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:23 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:23:29 GMT
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Basehunters, a storm chasing team from Norman, Okla., captured over three minutes worth of video showing Monday's deadly monster tornado that roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:06 AM EDT2013-05-21 11:06:34 GMT
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Find out how you can help the victims of Monday's deadly tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs, killing dozens and flattening neighborhoods, schools and businesses.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:08:56 GMT
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
A small dog was taken from a woman's car on Sunday. Now a woman claims she wasn't trying to steal the dog. She was trying to save its life because it was locked in a car on a hot day.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:03:59 GMT
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Some residents in Clinton Township say they are upset over a horrible smell that seems to be at its peak when temperatures soar. They claim it has been going on for years.
Monday, May 20 2013 9:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 01:54:16 GMT
Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
He once said there was no shame in his game, but now Wayne County Circuit Judge Wade McCree is fighting to save his job and his career. Monday, the woman who was once his mistress testified about their numerous sexual encounters.
Monday, May 20 2013 8:28 PM EDT2013-05-21 00:28:46 GMT
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
As Bobby Ferguson faces a retrial on bid-rigging charges, he may have to represent himself. He refuses to fill out an application needed to determine if he qualifies for a court appointed lawyer.
Engine 50 Acting Chief Gene Biondo said firefighters "hope it get better" if Detroit gets an EFM. (Credit: Fox 2 News)
