Detroit firefighters battle blaze at old Redford High School
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By Robin Schwartz, Fox 2 News -
A firefighter battles a blaze inside the old Redford High School. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
DETROIT (WJBK) -
From SkyFox, flames could be seen shooting out the windows of the old Redford High School. The building on Grand River and Six Mile has been vacant for years. Firefighters entered in some brutal conditions to get things quickly under control.
"Extremely hot and you can't see anything and you have to kind of go by your training, your training and your experience," said Chief Michael Herron with the Detroit Fire Department.
Two firefighters were injured. One twisted a knee. The other suffered from heat exhaustion.
It's not clear yet how the fire started, but the chief suspects vandals are responsible.
Crews knocked out several large windows to let out some of the smoke and intense heat.
"By not having any openings, that could make it extremely dangerous for the firefighters," Herron said.
Afterwards we saw several of them cooling off by sticking their heads under a hose. The weather is not the only thing that makes their job uncomfortable.
The turnout gear the firefighters wear is heavy. It starts out weighing 65 pounds. By the time it gets wet, it weights 90 pounds. It is the same stuff they wear even in the ice and snow.
Thankfully, those two injured firefighters are expected to recover. The building, on the other hand, suffered major damage.
Meijer plans to build a large retail and grocery store at the site. They're expected to demolish the 88-year-old building in the months to come.
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A firefighter battles a blaze inside the old Redford High School. (Credit: WJBK | myFOXDetroit.com)
