DETROIT (WWJ) - A boarded-up apartment building on Detroit's eastside went up in flames on Wednesday morning, with smoke and fire seen by drivers on the freeway.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported live from the scene along the westbound I-94 service drive near Beaubien where a fire broke out earlier in the morning and quickly engulfed the structure.
Langton spoke with Detroit's Fire Chief Dave Brown who said five companies responded to the fire, which is still burning through the brick building as of 7 a.m.
"We got a rowhouse apartment building that is vacant," Brown told Langton. "It's a dangerous structure, actually, so we just went defensive on it. Fire came in around five o'clock in the morning."
A defensive operation means crews are going to continue to let the fire burn, Langton explained, as conditions inside are unsafe for firefighters.
Langton reported that crews could not go into the boarded up complex to see if anyone was squatting, but neighbors said they didn't believe anyone was inside.
"I've been told that it's been abandoned for about 20 years or so," Langton said.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated although Langton said arson is a possibility.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ LIVE for the latest updates.