Security guard asleep while arsonist sets building ablaze

Detroit firefighters were dumbfounded early this morning when they spotted a security guard sound asleep in a car while the building he was hired to protect erupted in flames.

Firefighters found two five-gallon gas cans and a ladder leading to the roof of the commercial building at Grand River and Whitney on the city’s west side at 2:45 a.m.

Since neither police nor arson investigators were at the scene, firefighters tapped on the window where two people were sleeping through the sirens.

Because of steep budget cuts to public safety, firefighters often are handling tasks typically reserved for investigators, who have guns and can better protect themselves.

Firefighters have been attacked by residents and dangerous dogs and often can’t get arson investigators to respond to suspicious fires because of a serious staff shortage. Their pay also was cut by 10%.

This morning’s fire remains under investigation, firefighters said this morning.

  Arrest, Arson, Arson investigators, Arsonists, Bankruptcy, detroit, emergency manager, fire, Firefighters, Guns, mayor bing, pay cuts, Public safety, Rate, steve

Steve Neavling

Steve Neavling lives and works in Detroit as an investigative journalist. His stories have uncovered corruption, led to arrests and reforms and prompted FBI investigations.

• 
• 
• 
• 
•