candgnews.com JULY 31, 2024 Vol. 43, No. 16
2025 Subaru Outback
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS
STARTS ON 8A
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Firefighters examine the scene of a July 12 house fire at 1561 E. Muir Ave. The blaze left the home totaled and two residents deceased. Photo provided by Richard Story
Photo by Erin Sanchez
Madison Heights Police Chief Brent LeMerise, left, discusses the city’s Special Investigations Unit with Madison Heights City Councilman David Soltis at the Madison Heights Police Department on July 17. Five years ago, Soltis called for the unit’s return. There are now plans to expand it.
‘THEY DO IT TO PROTECT THE REST OF US, AND RESCUE THOSE IN NEED’ Hazel Park house fire leaves two dead SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT CLEANING UP CRIME, LOOKING TO EXPAND IN MADISON HEIGHTS BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI akozlowski@candgnews.com
MADISON HEIGHTS — Five years ago, the Madison Heights Police Department reinstated its undercover Special Investigations Unit, looking to clean up crime in hotels and motels that ranged from narcotics to human trafficking. That crucial work continues today, and officials say there are plans to grow the team. See POLICE on page 4A
BY ANDY KOZLOWSKI
akozlowski@candgnews.com
HAZEL PARK — Two women died from smoke inhalation in what officials say is Hazel Park’s first fatal fire in more than 10 years. Authorities received word of the fire around 5 a.m. Friday, July 12. A concerned citizen who was driving down Eight Mile Road noticed heavy smoke rising from the area of East Muir Avenue near Dequindre Road. The driver turned around, located the source and called 911 with the address of the home: 1561 E. Muir Ave. Hazel Park Fire Chief Richard Story said the
ranch-style home was likely burning for at least an hour prior to someone noticing. Firefighters from Hazel Park and Madison Heights raced to the scene and found smoke billowing from the structure, which was engulfed in fire. The front door appeared to be obstructed by bars and debris on the opposite side, preventing entry, so firefighters made a tactical decision to start dousing the fire from the rear of the house. Once the fire had been partially knocked down, entry was made and two victims were located. Both were found dead from smoke inhalation. One victim, an 80-year-old woman, was found in the bedroom. Her daughter, 59, was found near the front door. See FIRE on page 19A
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