Investigation reveals fatal Sterling Heights apartment fire was caused by smoker
Fire ruled accident
By Amber Ainsworth
September 01, 2017
Investigations found a fire May 17, 2017 at Sterling Knolls apartments in Sterling Heights was caused by smoking. (WDIV)
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - Investigations by the Sterling Heights Police and Fire departments determined that a fire at Sterling Knolls apartments that killed one in May was the result of careless smoking.
Investigators said someone who was smoking hookah on an upstairs balcony May 17 didn't properly extinguish coals.
More than 40 firefighters responded to the fire that killed Laura Ann Phillips, 33, and caused an estimated $1.5 million in damages.
The medical examiner ruled Phillips' death an accident caused by smoke inhalation and carbon monoxide toxicity.
The cause of the fire is considered an accident, investigators said. No one will be charged.
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Sterling Heights woman, 33, dies amid 'massive amount of fire'
Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press Published 2:30 p.m. ET May 18, 2017 | Updated 3:05 p.m. ET May 18, 2017
A Sterling Heights woman died and three other people, including two firefighters, were treated at local hospitals after a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex Wednesday night in Sterling Heights.
Fire Chief Chris Martin said today that Laura Ann Phillips, 33, died in the blaze about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sterling Knolls Apartments on 15 Mile Road. He said she would have turned 34 on Saturday. She lived alone in a second-floor unit and was found dead in her apartment, Martin said.
Another woman was treated for smoke inhalation and two firefighters, one each from Sterling Heights and Clinton Township, were treated for heat-related injuries. All three have been released, Martin said.
He said fire crews found "just a massive amount of fire" when they arrived, with flames spreading from the roof line of one building to another building in the complex, which is west of Maple Lane and east of Dodge Park Road.
Martin said there were a total of 16 units in the two, two-story buildings, with all of those units occupied and residents now displaced.
He said the Red Cross was notified and two local churches have offered to help. There is a meeting this afternoon to talk with some of the displaced residents to discuss how to get their valuables.
Martin said the cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation, though investigators have a theory on what happened. He did not release the theory as the investigation is continuing.
He said a fire engine arrived within minutes because it was clearing from an EMS run. He said crews were met with an "intense amount of flames."
Martin said before crews arrived, people walked around, banging on windows, trying to notify residents of the fire. He said crews removed two people, including the woman treated for smoke inhalation.
Martin said investigators are trying to determine if smoke detectors were in the complex and if they were working.
He did not have a damage estimate, but said most of the two buildings -- at least the second floor -- are a total loss.