WDIV
Reprinted with Permission

BELLEVILLE, Mich. - A suburban apartment building is a total loss after fire ripped though it Wednesday afternoon, leaving 40 people homeless.


A wing of the Tuscan Manor Apartments on Church Street and West Columbia Avenue in Belleville was destroyed.

The first spread quickly, devouring the entire building.

All residents were able to get out of the building without getting hurt, with only the shirts on their backs.

Elizabeth Harvey said she lost everything in the fire.

“Everything I’ve ever owned, anything everyone has ever owned is in the ruble and it’s all gone. It’s stuff and it’s replaceable but there are some things not replaceable, like my kid’s first things from when they were born, my kitten, memories people are not going to get back; lucky, no, blessed, yes” said Harvey.

Harvey said she is blessed because not only did her family make it out alive, but Wednesday morning she got renters insurance.

Most of those who live in the Tuscan Manor didn’t have renter’s insurance and are shell shocked; trying to figure out what to do next.

Firefighters did their best to get as many pets out as possible. Including Warren Sommer’s rabbit named Mr. Buns.

“They went in after it was safe and the rabbit came out. People were screaming, ‘Who owns a rabbit?’ and I just ran down there and they put an oxygen mask on him and wrapped him in a blanket. He smells pretty burnt, but he’s alive and burnt,” Sommers said.

Firefighters were still on the scene late Wednesday night spraying water on the roof.

Fire officials told Local 4 that they know the fire started in an upstairs apartment but are still investigating what caused it.