Detroit MI, Commercial Fire 1-17-2020

On Friday, January 17th. Detroit firefighters responded to 645 Griswold st (Penobscot Building) for smoke on the 29th floor. Engine 1 was first on scene and started investigating. As more units arrived the crew from Engine 1 advised that there was smoke on the 29th floor of the building. Once smoke was confirmed Chief 203 requested a 2nd alarm be struck. Due to a malfunctioning fire alarm system, crews could not locate the fire. A security guard then advised that the freight elevator was on fire. Report were coming in for civilians trapped on the 9th and 10th floor, civilians were found and no injuries were reported. Crew located a fire on top of the freight elevator that was stopped between floors 4 and 5. A line was stretched and the fire was put out by crews with no further extension. Over haul was completed and the elevator was manually lowered to the ground floor.
No injuries reported
Chief 203 had command


Engines 1, 9, 17, 35, 39, and 46
Ladders 20 and 6
Squads 2, and 4
Chiefs 203, 1 and 5
Hazmat 1
DEMS