STURGIS, Mich. — A woman remains in critical condition after being rescued from a burning home in Sturgis last week.
Authorities said Monday the woman remains in the hospital. The Sturgis Department of Public Safety Fire Marshal and Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division are still investigating.
The fire began around 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at a two-story home in the 400 block of Center Avenue. Crews were told that a woman and a child were trapped inside.
Police officers who responded to the scene attempted to get to the second floor of the home, which is where the woman and child were thought to be. Authorities said the officers turned back due to the heat and smoke.
Firefighters learned that the child had gotten out of the home, but the woman was still trapped inside. She was found by crews on the first floor and rescued from the home.
The woman was then unresponsive, according to authorities, and CPR was started. She eventually regained consciousness and was flown to a hospital for treatment.
'It really was just a great team effort in a horrible situation, but to have that outcome and to her to be alive right now in the hospital, yes, she's in critical condition, but that is a big step from where we started," said Sturgis Public Safety Director Ryan Banaszak. "So our staff and assisting outside agencies did a great job. I really highlighted the importance of teamwork across the board."
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, though the home was significantly damaged on both floors.
Authorities say it took crews 10 minutes from when the call came in to when lifesaving efforts began on the woman.
Stressing the importance of fire safety
While the cause of the fire is not known, Director Banaszak highlighted the importance of fire safety as October is Fire Prevention Month.
Director Banaszak said doors were closed in bedrooms which made a huge difference in this case, especially with the child that was inside the home.
"Your kids, when they're in school and they're learning about fire prevention, you know, as parents, we need to listen to some of those things that the kids bring back to us," said Banaszak. "...there's very real benefit to a lot of those and does absolutely make a difference in fires like this."
Over the next few days, Banaszak said the fire marshal, along with the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal division, will be investigating to determine what happened.