DETROIT — Firefighters have been working without power in a fire house in Detroit since Friday.
WXYZ reported that a power failure in the fire house has some firefighters using candles for light and are unable to walk down hallways because it’s so dark.
Firefighters are concerned, because if the power problem isn’t fixed soon, they will be forced to move to another fire house, according to the report. This will put them farther away from the residents they protect as well as the Marathon Detroit Refinery.
The firefighters at Engine 48 are the city’s first responders to assist in any emergency at the refinery.
“That is absolutely unheard of,” Gerri Crosby who lives close to Engine 48, told WXYZ.
The power problem has also left the station without hot water, spoiled food and rigs parked outside because they’re unable to open the doors, according to the report. Firefighters have been taking their portable radios to other stations for recharging; it fire station radios are inoperable.
Beau Taylor, Director of the Detroit Public Lighting Department, said the power problem stems from damage done by last week’s storm. Deputy Emergency Manager Gary Brown ordered the next available public lighting crew to begin working to resolve the power problem at the fire house, according to the report.