A family wants answers. They lost three loved ones, two children and their grandmother, in a house fire they believe could have been prevented. The city says it is a tragic reminder of how important it is to make sure the house you rent is registered.
The fire happened at a house on Lahser, south of Seven Mile in Detroit early Tuesday morning. Fire investigators suspect something was wrong with the stove. They are working to determine if that was the cause.
People who live at the house say they complained about the stove to their landlord.
The city says the house was not registered as a rental, which is required by city ordinance.
“Once it turns into a rental property that owner must notify the City of Detroit. That didn’t take place in this case,” said Eric Johnson, Chief of Property Maintenance and Code Administration for the City of Detroit.
Johnson says city inspectors then make sure the house is safe.
“Any tenant, or neighbors, if there is someone living in hazardous conditions, contact us,” said Johnson.
7 Action News reached out to the landlord who said, “No comment” and then hung up before we could ask questions on the phone.
You can find out more information about registering your rental with Detroit, here.
