Explosion/fire @ The Huntington? [[pics)

**Django** · December-31-09, 09:43 PM

While at work I heard a big explosion and went outside to see the apt building behind us up in big flames. If there was anyone in that room that exploded I doubt they made it. Must have been 15 firetrucks. This just happened a few minutes ago.

All I can hope is that no one actually got hurt.

The building is on Alexandria between Woodward and Cass. I had a room there for a minute years back

**MikeM** · December-31-09, 10:04 PM

About 25-30 minutes ago I heard what I thought were fireworks. Now I'm thinking this is what I heard, from 7 Mile & Mack

**Whitehouse** · December-31-09, 10:27 PM

Is it that building in the center?

Bigger version.

**Django** · December-31-09, 10:32 PM

More pics.

**Whitehouse** · December-31-09, 10:34 PM

Sure looks like I've got the right building in the picture.
That's a total loss. Shame, this one looked quite decent.

**Whitehouse** · December-31-09, 10:38 PM

Five hurt at the Huntington Hotel fire.

Possible fatalities. Not good...

That was quick.

**texorama** · December-31-09, 10:43 PM

WWJ is reporting at least one fatality and casualties including a firefighter.

**Whitehouse** · December-31-09, 10:46 PM

Is that a twin building there on Willis street?

Bigger version.

The Huntington hotel on the right.

**eriedearie** · December-31-09, 10:51 PM

Oh those poor people - my heart goes out to them.

**Zacha341** · January-01-10, 08:43 AM

It will be interesting to see how this fire started. Some say there was an explosion, and on Fox local it was stated that the fire was so severe and fast the upper floors caved in. Tragic indeed......

**Zacha341** · January-01-10, 08:47 AM

Hmmn, these two buildings are nearly identical - same architect no doubt. The building on the left is boarded up on it's lower floors from the photo it appears. The Huntington was fully occupied.....

Originally Posted by Whitehouse

Is that a twin building there on Willis street?

Bigger version.

The Huntington hotel on the right.

**gnome** · January-01-10, 09:05 AM

Those are some very good pictures Django, better than the newspapers provided. Can you tell us anything about the place and its residents? What were the rooms like? Communial bathroom at the end of the hall kind of place?

**Gannon** · January-01-10, 09:24 AM

Yeah, Django.

I'd like to know if you remember how it was heated.

Near the top of the building...I wonder if that was a meth lab or something.

What else would explode like that?

You and MikeM heard it blow.

Furnace was very likely in the basement, either a boiler with steam heat, or forced air throughout...which I doubt.

All probably shared the hot water from a boiler for showers, too.

The Big Boom is suspicious.

Prayers for all involved, even if they brought it upon themselves.

Sincerely,
John

**Whitehouse** · January-01-10, 10:06 AM

Confirmed.

At least one dead in the fire.
Three critical...

Rest in peace.

And an explanation for the explosions.

Many of the residents who lived at the Huntington Hotel, 109 W. Alexandrine, were on disability and had oxygen tanks, Walker said. Residents said they rented the rooms by the month at the five-story structure.

ABC action news 7 reports two dead.
Four critical.

Fire report on youtube. Part one.
And all hell breaks loose in part two.

Major kudos to the Fire department.

**Gannon** · January-01-10, 10:44 AM

Yep, that makes sense, Whitehouse.

Have a holiday visitor over who smokes, and doesn't have two synapses bumping into another...and poof!...before the poor patient has the time to wheeze out a "STOP".

Wow. Curious.

**Zacha341** · January-01-10, 11:20 AM

Hmm oxygen tanks in use... can mean a higher fire risk, especially relative to smoking. However our lovely big three casinos don't seem to mind, they allow people using oxygen tanks into their smoke-engaged casinos daily.

Interesting youtube sound track of firefighters engaging the fire. Incredible......

Originally Posted by Whitehouse

Confirmed.

At least one dead in the fire.
Three critical...

Rest in peace.

And an explanation for the explosions.

ABC action news 7 reports two dead.
Four critical.

Fire report on youtube. Part one.
And all hell breaks loose in part two.

Major kudos to the Fire department.

**Lowell** · January-01-10, 12:24 PM

And beyond the tragic loss of life, another beautiful building has been lost.

**Whitehouse** · January-01-10, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

And beyond the tragic loss of life, another beautiful building has been lost.

But is that twin also looking like that? A previous poster noted it was boarded up.

The Huntington Hotel [[above) with it's twin.

That same twinbuilding seen from the Willys overland apartment block.

**Lowell** · January-01-10, 12:53 PM

Not quite an identical twin, but certainly a fraternal twin, the Billinghurst has indeed been abandoned for quite a while. Slight difference at the top of the facade.

**Gannon** · January-01-10, 01:03 PM

Explosion potential would only be in a confined space, right?

In a great open space like a Casino, it would merely add to the enhanced awakeness they wish to instill for 24-hour gaming.

I thought they'd been increasing the O2 in Las Vegas casinos for a long while now. Might just be ozone generators, and that is O3 if I remember correctly. May have a similar effect on the human machine.

There is a certain...freshness...in the air inside some Vegas casinos that is in sharp contrast to the dull expressions on most folks faces as they play...drone-like.

But what do I know?! It is just a feeling...

**BillyBBrew** · January-01-10, 01:07 PM

I have to agree with Whitehouse that they were identical twins. At some point it appears the that Huntington cornice was redone in brick. All the cut stone work is identical and there is still a piece of the cut stone ledge along the top visible on the side of the building. It is a shame that this happened and that people lost their lives and got hurt. As the old saying goes, "Life is fragile, handle with care".

**Lowell** · January-01-10, 01:16 PM

You're probably right BillyBBrew. There is some ghosting in the brick work where the carved limestone formerly could have been.

**Whitehouse** · January-01-10, 01:26 PM

Those buildings side by side and the top is the only difference. Could it even be that the top of the Huntington was removed?

Edit:
Er... Billy more or less said the same...

In other words, this building should be inhabited in the future. What is that message on the side?

Freep article Bill Eisner, is that your name Django? That picture looks a lot like one of the series above.

Ladder 7 doing all she can do. [[Ed Ballotts / The Detroit News)

Anna McKinnie, 48, of Detroit, looks through a bag she was able to salvage containing her identification cards and paperwork on Friday at the Huntington Hotel in Detroit. [[RASHAUN RUCKER/Detroit Free Press)

Cause found, it's a cigarette....

Front of the building looks intact, but the back end is in tatters... [[Steve Perez / The Detroit News)

Two dead, one missing.

The fire department was [[almost) right next door.

Detroit E5/L20/Sq2/M6 433 W. Alexandrine Built 1909

Humongous picture!
[[There are some faint letters under "Squad no2". I can see "No4".)

**Whitehouse** · January-01-10, 02:23 PM

Interesting to see that directly opposite the fire department there's a third structure resembling the Huntington and the Billinghurst.

**MikeM** · January-01-10, 02:29 PM

There were probably dozens of that design around the city. A generic, multi-storey apartment building from the era. Most have probably suffered the same fate.