Emergency preparedness efforts prevented deaths, serious injuries in massive fire, senior living operator says

McKinight's Senior Living | October 28, 2025 | Kimberly Bonvissuto

A massive Friday night fire at a Michigan senior living community displaced 87 residents and staff members, but no serious injuries or deaths were reported thanks to emergency preparedness measures, according to the operator.

Multiple fire departments responded to the blaze at American House Southgate in suburban Detroit. The Southgate Fire Department reported at a Saturday news conference that two people were injured during evacuations, including a firefighter. Residents previously deemed “frail or compromised” were preemptively taken to a nearby nursing facility or hospital for evaluation, but no serious injuries or deaths were reported. 

In an update provided to McKnight’s Senior Living by American House on Saturday, the company said that staff members and residents reacted quickly and efficiently. 

“Following their practiced fire drills, the team members and residents evacuated the building without incident,” the statement said, adding that the building’s fire systems all deployed as designed. 

First responders reportedly encountered heavy flames and smoke around 10 pm Friday and evacuated residents to a local senior center. The community is home to 81 independent living, assisted living and memory care residents.

The fire reignited on Sunday afternoon, according to multiple media reports. The Detroit Free Press reported that fire officials said the heavily damaged building likely will be condemned.

American House CEO Dale Watchowski applauded the “passion and commitment” that everyone displayed during the crisis.

“The team at American House has been fully mobilized to provide any and all support to our residents, their families and our dedicated team members,” he said in the statement provided to McKnight’s Senior Living. “Last night was a frightening experience, yet our team came through and worked together with dedicated first responders with the wonderful outcome of no injuries whatsoever.”

Most residents have reconnected with their families. Many residents have been relocated to sister communities [American House Riverview](https://www.americanhouse.com/riverview), [American House Southland](https://www.americanhouse.com/southland) and [American House Westland Hunter](https://www.americanhouse.com/westland-hunter). The company said it also is looking at housing displaced residents at other of its communities.

“The entire American House team is so proud of the confident abilities of our team members who continue making our residents’ safety their primary concern,” a statement from the company read. “We are grateful to all the first responders and the area community who stepped up to help in the middle of the night, including the Southgate Parks and Recreation and the senior center.”

The Southgate Senior Center collected donations for displaced residents.