ROSEVILLE (WWJ) - Neighbors are being credited with rescuing a senior citizen after a downed power line ignited a raging house fire on Tuesday afternoon in Macomb County.
Neighbors told WDIV that they sprang into action after seeing flames at the 85-year-old man's home on Masonic between Kelly Road and Gratiot Avenue.
A downed power line is believed to have caused the fire, which burnt the home to the ground.
The Roseville Fire Department along with neighbors were able to safely get the elderly man out of the home.
Officials say the 85-year-old is expected to be OK, but his family says he lost everything.
Neighbors told WDIV the power line came down during Monday evening as severe weather raced through Southeast Michigan.
Fire officials said they were aware the power line was down and had been checking on it regularly prior to the house fire.
“When we arrived today earlier to check on it, it was still not sparking,” said Anthony Robinson of the Roseville Fire Department said to WDIV.
A spokesperson for DTE said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
DTE estimated over 3,300 power lines fell during the storms on Aug. 29. Some areas saw wind gusts of up to 74 mph and knocked power out to more than 230,000 DTE Energy customers.
Officials are advising all residents to stay at least 20 ft. away from downed lines and anything it touches, such as a fence.
Downed power lines have so far claimed the life of a 14-year-old girl after she was electrocuted on Monday evening when she grabbed an energized electrical line in her backyard.
On Tuesday, two young boys where hospitalized after an 8-year-old grabbed a downed live wire in Warren and his 10-year-old brother attempted to pull him off.
Both children are currently hospitalized with the 8-year-old in critical condition while the older brother is said to be in stable condition.
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