A homeless woman attempting to stay warm Sunday by burning leaves suffered several burns while trying to put the fire out when it became uncontrollable.
Rescue crews were called shortly before 5 a.m. Nov. 13, to the area of Redeemer Avenue and Pauline Boulevard for a reported trash fire that was out of control, according to the Ann Arbor Police Department.
Officers discovered a 48-year-old homeless woman had gathered up a sizable pile of leaves and had set it on fire in an attempt to stay warm, police said. When the fire quick became uncontrollable, the woman attempted to put the fire out herself before franticly waving down a passing tow truck driver who also tried to put out the blaze unsuccessfully before calling 911, police said.
An Ann Arbor police officer arrived at the scene and was able to put out the fire using the patrol vehicle’s fire extinguisher, but not before a recycling bin and other local property was destroyed, police said.