While fires resulting from car crashes are not uncommon, it is far rarer for a crashed vehicle to set a house on fire. Yet that is exactly what happened in Detroit, where one such freak incident left a family suddenly without a home.
Speeding cars are proving to be dangerous not only for pedestrians and other motorists, but even for homes now, as one Ford Fusion proved by crashing into a house and setting the structure on fire.
It later came to be known that the driver of the Ford Fusion, a young man in his 20s, allegedly sideswiped an oncoming car at speed, losing control and crashing into the house.
The fire was so intense that people in nearby houses felt the heat, and the flames partially burned the house and the car.
Residents Were Alerted Upon Impact
According to a report by CBS News, the neighbors heard two booms during the incident. Detroit police said the crash occurred on Sunday afternoon, on the corner of Puritan and Harlow avenues.
After swiping against a car, the Ford Fusion crashed into the home, triggering a fire in no time. Another report by ClickOnDetroit confirmed that the Fusion struck a gas meter, which sparked the fire.
Fortunately, none of the family members were inside the house where the incident occurred. But now, a woman who serves as caregiver to both her son and her 77-year-old father finds herself with no roof over their heads, the crash having reduced their home to rubble. The driver of the Ford Fusion suffered minor injuries.
Anthony Harris, who lives next door, retrieved the footage of the incident from his doorbell camera. He revealed that he felt the impact the moment the car crashed into the house. He said:
“When I heard the second boom, I thought, ‘Oh, this is serious, cause we felt it.
“I was looking to see had anybody gotten hurt, but the flames were just tremendous, ’cause you could feel the heat from here.”
He added:
“Speed kills. You got to come through here like you got some sense; people be flying through here.”
Teams from DTE Energy, the Detroit Fire Department and contractors arrived at the scene of the incident the following day to secure the burned structure and disconnect utilities.
A community activist at Detroit 300, Stephen Grady Muhammad, was in disbelief after reaching the scene of the incident, and urged motorists to realize the responsibility they carry while driving down the road. He said:
“This is totally unbelievable.
“Think about what you’re doing; it’s ok to have fun out here, but you got to be careful in everything you do because your fun can end up harming somebody else.”
Family Creates Fundraiser After Losing Home
The family that has been affected by the incident has launched a fundraiser on GoFundMe, urging the community to help, as the woman in charge now has to look for temporary housing since her home is in an unlivable condition. This requires her to take time off from work to assist her son and father and rebuild her home. Revealing her story, she wrote:
“My life changed in an instant when a group of young teenagers lost control of their car and crashed into my home. The impact hit our gas meter, causing a fire that spread rapidly and left us with nothing. I am the primary caregiver for my son and my 77-year-old father, who is currently battling cancer. In a matter of moments, we lost our home and all of our belongings, and now we are facing the overwhelming challenge of starting over from scratch.
“The funds raised will help us find temporary housing, replace essential items like clothes, shoes, and food, and support my father’s ongoing care. With no renters insurance and the need to take time off work to care for my family, we are struggling to get back on our feet. Every bit of support will help us rebuild and provide some stability during this incredibly difficult time.
“This would mean so much to me and my family. Any kind of help will go a long way—please, we appreciate all the love and support from those willing to help us through this crisis.”