ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - A catastrophic fire that destroyed two duplexes in Ann Arbor on Monday evening sprang up from a nearby fire pit where a resident was burning cardboard, fire officials said.
The Ann Arbor Fire Department said a 3-alarm structure fire in the 800 block of North Maple Roads was reported to authorities just before 6 p.m. on May 29.
According to the department, heavy pillars of smoke from the fire could be seen as firefighters left their stations.
When crews arrived on scene, they found the fire had engulfed one duplex and had already spread to a number of vehicles and a second duplex nearby.
Firefighters immediately went to work to contain the blaze, which had spread to the attics of both buildings due to flammable vinyl siding, the department added.
Crews attacked the blaze while occupants and their pets were provided medical care.
One person was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation while three cats were transported to a veterinarian for medical treatment.
Two of the three cats were driven by a neighbor, but the third cat, which found well into the fire, received oxygen from firefighters and was taken to an emergency veterinarian in a chief vehicle.
"As of this writing, one feline and one reptile are unaccounted for," the Ann Arbor Fire Department said late Monday night.
After an investigation, fire crews determined the fire was caused by an resident burning cardboard in a fire pit. The pit was positioned between a detached garage and a duplex, where it burned quickly out of control.
"Both duplexes suffered catastrophic damage and will be demolished despite tremendous efforts by firefighters," the department added.
Multiple agencies from around Ann Arbor directly helped with the fire or helped with coverage as units worked the scene.
Authorities warned Ann Arbor residents that it is against City ordinance to burn anything other than natural wood. All campfires are required to be at least 25 feet away from any structure.