Forest Arms blaze controlled

Forest Arms blaze controlled
DFD begins investigation; no confirmed cause despite rumors
Ashley Woods
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: News

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A five-alarm blaze that engulfed the Forest Arms Apartment building at the corner of Second Avenue at Forest Avenue this morning is now under control, firefighters said.

"The firefighters have gone through the building. All but one resident have been accounted for," said Capt. Steve Varnas of the Detroit Fire Department. Two residents were treated for minor smoke inhalation.

Varnas said no firefighters were injured while battling the fire, which escalated from a box alarm, or standard fire, to a five-alarm blaze in less than two hours. He said that it's luck that no one was injured in the situation.

Varnas said firefighters will begin a full investigation into the cause of the incident. He disclosed that the fire began in room 412, on the fourth floor of the building.

Several residents said that the tenant, who was reportedly facing eviction, began the fire and barricaded himself in his room.

The room was leased to a 47-year-old man.

The fire department was unable to confirm his name or account for his whereabouts.