Fire truck involved in crash while heading to string of fires

DETROIT (WJBK) - While some Detroit firefighters were rushing to put out a string of suspicious fires, others were involved in an accident on the way to one.

"When I came up I thought the school was on fire actually," says Madeline Johnson. She showed up for work at Edison Elementary school on Detroit's west side and found an accident scene right next the crosswalk she helps kids manuever.

A minvan ran into Engine 54 on Grand River near Biltmore while the firetruck was headed to a suspicious fire just a few blocks away. It had its lights and sirens when it was hit.

The crews involved in the crash were responding to a fire at a home on Rutherford Street. It's one of six abandoned properties, all near Grand River and Greenfield, that investigators believe had been purposely set on fire all between 6 and 8 a.m. Monday.

Firefighters were able to put them out relatively quickly and no one was hurt.

"Some people just don't care they don't think before they do anything. They just go out and just vandalize things, not realizing, or really realizing what they've done but don't care," says Cornelius Brown.

Sources say a silver Chevy Venture and a red tow truck were spotted leaving several of the fire scenes. It's believed whoever torched them also left a gas can behind at the Rutherford home.

It is a dangerous and destructive crime spree that's putting people at risk, whether they live near the properties or are simply trying to get to them to save them.

"Of course it angers us. But, what do we do?" asks Johnson.

We are told the driver of that minivan was taken to the hospital to get checked out but she is expected to be fine. Her three kids and dog that were also inside were not injured.

The firetruck received minor damage but will be back in service soon.

If you saw something suspicious this morning, you're asked to call police.