DETROIT _ Five people died Wednesday as a result of a wind-whipped apartment fire on Detroit's far east side.
Firefighters rescued a man from the burning eight-unit apartment building on Whittier Avenue, but he later died at the hospital, Deputy Detroit Fire Commissioner David Fornell.
He said the genders and ages of the other four people killed are not yet known. Investigators are at the scene but it's not yet known what caused the fire, which was reported at about 1:30 p.m.
In addition to the fatalities, three males and a female are being treated for smoke inhalation and burns at the hospital.
"The building was destroyed," Fornell said.
Sea Thomas, 29, and her mother Marion Thomas, 62, live in the house directly behind the building, located just north of I-94. They let their dog out around 1:20 p.m. and noticed the animal was acting antsy and sniffing the air along the wooden privacy fence in their backyard.
Sea Thomas said as she moved closer to the two-story orange-brick building, she realized it was on fire and started knocking on first floor windows trying to alert residents to get out of the building.
The pair said someone inside the complex broke the glass from the second story rear corner unit. Flames then shot out and over the roof, whipped by the wind, they said.
"The flames were jumping. The smoke was so thick it was just rolling," Marion Thomas said. "You couldn't see anything. It was pitch black."
Neighbors said they called 911 multiple times but couldn't get through.
Sea Thomas said she eventually jumped in her car and drove to a fire station that's a few blocks away to alert firefighters.
"I saw smoke coming out of it, and I tried calling 911," said Ann Westbrook, who also lives near the building. She said she tried calling multiple times, but the phone rang and rang before she finally got through.
Fornell said because of the tremendous call volume Wednesday there were some delays.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's office sent out news release asking residents to only call 911 for emergency situations.
"Due to severe wind conditions, power outages have occurred for many residents and businesses," an email said. "Those experiencing power outages should report them to DTE Energy ... and are asked to keep 911 open for emergencies requiring EMS, Police or Fire services."
Wind gusts topped more than 60 mph in the area Wednesday. It's making it difficult for firefighters to battle the fires, Fornell said.
"This weather is really causing havoc across the city," he said.
The Detroit Fire Department activated two reserve engine companies Wednesday afternoon to provide more resources to respond to fires in the city.
