By Tom Greenwood
The Detroit News
DETROIT — Heroes don’t always wear capes. Sometimes, they wear a mechanic’s overalls or a bus driver’s uniform.
Sixteen Detroit Department of Transportation workers who braved smoke and flames to save 11 buses in a maintenance garage fire last week were honored Wednesday for their efforts, which saved the city millions as it struggles to provide adequate bus service for residents.
“If it had not been for the heroic efforts of these 16 dedicated employees, more buses would have been lost to the fire, and more pressure would have been place on our already stressed-out bus system,” Mayor Dave Bing said. “They put their heart and soul into their jobs, and they risked their safety on behalf of their city and community.”
According to DDOT, eight buses worth an estimated $3 million were destroyed in the blaze that hit the Coolidge Garage (in the 14100 block of Schaefer Highway) about 4:30 a.m. Dec. 7.
Alerted by employees who saw the fire, DDOT drivers and mechanics rushed to the garage and attempted to douse the flames before the Fire Department arrived.
“We now know the fire started accidentally by an electrical malfunction in a bus engine compartment ... and it quickly spread throughout the garage bay,” Bing said.
The intensity of the blaze caused the roof of the one-story building to collapse, destroying eight vehicles. There were no serious injuries in the fire, although one firefighter received a shoulder injury and one DDOT employee suffered minor smoke inhalation. “But the actions of these employees saved the city millions of dollars,” DDOT Director Lovevett Williams said. “And despite the situation, we were still able to fulfill 80 percent of our clients that day.”
Artee Square, 62, started his shift at 3 a.m. shortly before the fire began.
“There was a lot of smoke, very dense smoke at the scene,” said Square, assistant superintendent of maintenance at the Coolidge facility. “I directed my people to pull the buses out of the annex. It’s very nice getting an award ... to have people recognize that you did something for the city.”
Other DDOT employees honored included: Undra Hill, David Belle, Ameer King, Edno Casey, Anthony Grasty, William Cason, Jillane Williams, Dave Brown, William Mann, Gerald Martin, Derek James, Michael Kapolnek, Joseph Olbrys, Clifford Adamaszek and Russell Newman.
Each received a certificate of appreciation from Bing, who applauded employees as they walked to the podium.
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