Large fire damages Plymouth Township apartment building, no injuries reported

Residents of an apartment complex in Plymouth Township, Michigan, were evacuated Thursday as firefighters responded to a fire.

Flames tore through Hines Park Place Apartments, near the intersection of Wilcox and Hines Park Drive in Wayne County. This area is south of M-14. Residents of an apartment complex in Plymouth Township, Michigan, were evacuated Thursday as first responders investigated a reported fire. 

The building is in the Hines Park Place Apartments, near the intersection of Wilcox and Hines Park Drive in Wayne County. This area is south of M-14.

Thick, heavy smoke could be seen billowing out of the building.

Plymouth Township Fire Chief Pat Conely says the call came in just before noon. Conely says the fire is possibly electrical and started in the back corner of a unit.

"Eight units are affected directly, another 16 in the adjoining were probably affected by smoke," said Conely. "There was a vacant unit on the first floor. It possibly originated in there, but until we actually do our cause investigation, we won't determine that."

Authorities say everyone escaped, no injuries have been reported, and all animals were reunited with their owners.

Theresa Valchine tells CBS News Detroit her apartment was affected by smoke in a connected building. She rushed home to rescue her dog.

"Ran in to get my dog and got her out to safety. It was spreading so fast, and the brave firefighters just were trying their best to get up and get everything situated," Valchine said. 

Chief Conely says Mother Nature became a challenge for fire crews.

"The wind was a factor, and these buildings also have double roofs on them, so that really was a challenge for us," said Conely.

One resident tells CBS News Detroit that his apartment is one of the many destroyed.

"It's depressing this loss. I lost a lot of things. Lost keepsakes in my life," said Steve Hibbard.

Other tenants say they're shocked at the aftermath.

"Smoke. A lot of smoke. A lot of fire. I'm just grateful that it wasn't my building, that I wasn't asleep, and I'm grateful no one was hurt," resident Maraea Tutson said. 

Conely says that one firefighter fell through the roof and suffered a minor injury, but he was checked out and got right back to work.

Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blaze.  

Authorities hope to have some residents back in their homes by Thursday evening. The Salvation Army is assisting tenants who are now displaced.