DETROIT (WWJ) - A dangerous winter storm slammed Southeast Michigan on Wednesday as it brought snow, sleet and freezing rain, but it also brought tragedy to one Detroit family who lost their two pets when a power line came down in their yard.
The resident, who did not wish to be named, told FOX 2 that her two dogs were out in her backyard in southwest Detroit when they came into contact with a downed wire.
The woman said she watched helplessly as her pets were electrocuted.
"My dog was on fire," she told FOX 2. "I had to send my kids in the house."
The dogs were siblings that the woman had since they were six weeks old.
"And they were going on two now. And they were brothers," she added. "We are going to miss Legend and Pharaoh - that was their names."
DTE Energy estimated over 3,200 power lines were downed due to heavy ice accumulations that built up on Wednesday and into Thursday morning.
DTE's Vice President of Distribution Operations Matt Paul said Metro Detroit saw widespread ice amounts up to three quarters of an inch thick, a level not seen in the area for over 50 years.
Paul said that much ice adds a tremendous amount of weight to trees, tree limbs, wires, and other equipment -- causing them to come crashing down.
Paul warned of the dangers of downed power lines, which was already blamed for killing a volunteer firefighter in Southwest Michigan.
The public should do "everything they can to stay away from those wires," the vice president said.
Residents are urged to maintain a 25 feet distance from wires and watch out for anything that those wires may be in contact with, such as metal fences. Don't touch anything that those wires are touching, the company warned.
Anyone who notices downed powerlines should call 911 first, then call 1-800-477-4747 or go to the DTE website to report it.
"As we're out there, we're going to do a lot of taping," Paul added. "We tape these wires off, so anytime anyone in the public sees yellow tape, please heed the warning of that caution tape: Do not cross that yellow tape because there's likely or it could be a live wire on the other side."
Warren resident Rakeeta Goldstena told WWJ that a downed power line fell on top of her garage around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday while she was home in the area of Toepfer and Van Dyke.
The power line sparked a fire, forcing her fiancé and six children to flee the house before a second power line came down and started another fire at a neighboring home.
The fire was contained by officials and no injuries were reported. Goldstena said the family spent the night in their car.
DTE President Trevor Lauer said during a press conference on Thursday that the downed power lines have created an "extremely dangerous situation" and the company's first priority is public safety.
He said the best thing residents can do is stay in their homes.
Michigan State Police 1st Lt. Mike Shaw echoed Lauer's advice and asked Metro Detroiters to prevent cleaning up their yards as fallen power lines may be hidden in the debris.
"They look like sticks, they look like a branch," Shaw said during a press conference on Thursday.
DTE shared the following tips residents should know when it comes to wire safety:
• Stay at least 20 feet away from a downed power line and make sure that you and your family, pets and neighbors don't touch anything it touches – like a fence, or a puddle.
• Be sure to call 9-1-1 if there is an emergency.
• Assume all downed power lines are live and dangerous - even if you don't see sparks, smell smoke or hear buzzing. Coming in contact with a downed power line, including touching it with an object – like a broom or pole – can result in serious injuries.
• Do not drive across a downed power line. If a power line falls on your car, stay inside and wait for help.
• Never cross yellow barrier tape surrounding the area of a downed power line.
Please visit dteenergy.com/wiresafety for more information.
