12 Hurt After Possible Explosion At Detroit Apartment: Officials

DETROIT — A dozen people were injured after a possible explosion at an apartment building on Detroit's west side Monday morning, Fire Commissioner Chuck Simms told reporters.

The explosion and fire happened at 4 a.m. in the 13000 block of Littlefield Street, near Schoolcraft, sending emergency notifications to most Metro Detroit residents, Simms said.

Six adults and six children were injured in the explosion, including one man who had severe burns on 90 percent of his body, a woman had burns on 20 percent to 40 percent of her body, and a 3-year-old child had burns on 15 percent of their body, Simms said.

When firefighters arrived they used ladders to reach those on an upper floor, and also rescued at least one person who needed to be pulled out a basement area, Simms said.

"They did an amazing job," Sims said. "Without their fast response and fast reaction, this could have been a lot worse."

Simms said the fire was small and firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.

Officials believe no one else is in the building.

Photos posted to social media showed the building suffered significant damage, making it unsafe to go inside.

Officials were still trying to determine what caused the possible explosion.

Officials told WDIV that they sent the notification in error, as it was only meant to be sent to residents in the area around the possible explosion.