Fire at 555 Building Closes Woodward Ave. in Birmingham

Fire at 555 Building Closes Woodward Ave. in Birmingham
(Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 22, 2016)
Birmingham, MI – A fire at the 555 Building on Woodward required at least five fire departments to respond and Woodward Avenue to be closed while the flames were doused and the building secured.  There are no reported fatalities or injuries as of noon.
According to a statement by Birmingham Police Chief Mark H. Clemence the Birmingham Fire Department received a fire alarm at the 555 Building’s South Tower at about 10:15 am. The fire was on the 14th floor.  He stated that the building is currently being remodeled and the cause is not yet known.

Speaking to reporters on the scene, Birmingham Assistant Fire Chief John Donahue said that the investigation was still occurring and they did not yet know if the fire started inside or outside.  He stated that the floors that were damaged were residential units, and he did not yet know if they were occupied at the time of the fire or not.
Assisting departments included Madison Heights, Royal Oak, West Bloomfield, Bloomfield Township, Waterford and Southfield, Donahue said.
This story will be updated through the afternoon.
UPDATE: Northbound Woodward lanes were opened at about 1pm, as well as two southbound lanes.

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