About 140 fires broke out in Detroit and Highland Park from Saturday night to sunrise Tuesday, nearly triple the number of blazes during the three-day Devils’ Night period last year.
In separate blazes, a baby died and two firefighters were injured, one of them seriously.
A one-year Motor City Muckraker investigation found that the city’s antiquated water system and hydrants are in far worse condition than Detroit was willing to admit.
The records show the city grossly misrepresented the number of broken hydrants earlier this year.
Fire hydrants malfunctioned as overstretched firefighters did all they could.
Mayor Duggan’s administration refused to turn over public records about broken hydrants that are jeopardizing lives and property.
Rigs broke down, hydrants malfunctioned and arsonists grew bolder in March, the most destructive month yet this year in Detroit.
The city of Detroit issued about 480 permits last year for private users to tap into hydrants but did nothing to ensure the fire plugs were properly used.
The broken hydrants protect homes, schools, historic buildings, apartment high-rises, downtown skyscrapers, libraries, gas stations, churches and more.
Mayor Duggan’s administration has declined to release public records on broken hydrants.