DETROIT (WXYZ) — The Detroit Fire Department is currently battling two fires on the city's west side, with the department telling us that one person was injured in one of the fires.
Both fires broke out around the same time on Wednesday morning, with one breaking out in the 4200 block of Sturtevant and the other in the 14000 block of Trinity Street.
Watch our report from 7 News Detroit at Noon, and video from the scene of the Sturtevant fire
A spokesperson with the Detroit Fire Department says that one person was hospitalized in the fire on Sturtevant, as he is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, including smoke inhalation and minor burns. Neighbors say the fire began just after 8 a.m. this morning.
According to neighbors, the victim is a 71-year-old man who lives alone and this is not the first time his house has been on fire.
"On this particular house, it’s probably been between 7 and 10 years that his house has caught on fire," said Dee Fleming, the Neighborhood Block Club President. "And, I know that he’s one of the oldest people that’s been here on the Sturtevant block. And, he’s always walking up and down, always helping people out. So, I hope that this block can come together and help him out in his time of need.”
“I’m a single mom. And, I got…you know, I live with just my son and my dogs. And, he would make sure…he would make sure that nobody bothered me," said neighbor Shandra Dunn. "Like, my dog would get out. And, he would chase her back home. He would take care of me. And, from time to time, I would feed him. And, he would be so appreciative.”
“We’ve been taking care of him," said Elder Leslie Matthews, another neighbor. "He’s been picking it up. We’ve been buying clothes for him. Whatever Steve needed because when there was a fire before, it’s been more than two fires. It’s been about three fires, at least three or four fires. Right? And, he’s asked the city to help him to restore the house. And, he had paperwork. He was working through that. That did not happen. But, he was still trying to repair the house on his own.”
Neighbors say that they will do everything in their power to make sure he has what he needs after this devastating fire.
The cause of both fires is under investigation at this time.
