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Detroit Firefighters Reportedly Pose For Picture In Front Of Burning House

Burned out building in Detroit

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David Krayden Ottawa Bureau Chief
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Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones will be investigating a New Year’s Eve tweet that showed firefighters in the city posing in front of a burning building.

“There are a lot of ways to celebrate a retirement. Taking a photo in front of a building fire is not one of them,” Jones said.

Jones’ response to the apparent dereliction of duty was reported by ABC News Detroit affiliate WXYZ on Wednesday.

 

The photo was captioned, “Crews take a moment to get a selfie on New Years!” but the picture could have been taken at any time.
Detroit Fire has confirmed that no one was living in the house at the time of the blaze and the building next to it was apparently also unoccupied, CNN reported. (RELATED: Nudist Resort Burns Down In Major Fire During ‘Nude Year’s Eve’ Party)
If the photo proves to be real and not a product of fake news, Jones promised to render disciplinary action, according to a statement released to CNN. “We will investigate this matter and follow the facts where they lead us. If this photo is verified, discipline will be in order,” he said.
Firefighters battle a wind-driven wildfire called the Saddle Ridge fire in the early morning hours Friday in Porter Ranch, California, U.S., October 11, 2019. REUTERS/Gene Blevins

REUTERS/Gene Blevins

The photo was removed by The Detroit Fire Incidents Facebook page after panicked firefighters called to ask them to take it down because it might mean loss of employment. (RELATED: Why Couldn’t Firefighters Douse The Flames of Notre Dame Cathedral?)
WXYZ reporter Brian Abel posted a picture of what he said the house looked like post-fire and said firefighters who went to the scene to actually try to put the fire out “could only defensively attack the fire.”