Statement from DTE Energy/Detroit Edison

DETROIT, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- We sincerely feel for the losses sustained by our customers due to September 7th's fires.  We are working with United Way 211 to assist those displaced with temporary shelter and food as a community service.

High sustained winds and gusts of up to 50 mph caused power outages to more than 50,000 Detroit Edison customers, as entire trees and large tree limbs were blown into power lines. As of 4 p.m. today, all but 11,000 customers have had their service restored.

Some 750 downed power lines resulted from yesterday's storm.  This, combined with the high sustained winds and extremely dry conditions obviously contributed to some of the fires that occurred yesterday.

• Detroit Edison was called by the customer at 8028 E. Robinwood Street to report flickering lights, low voltage and potential energy theft. There was no report of a downed wire.  

• A Detroit Edison crew responded yesterday afternoon and patrolled the Robinwood Street area.  The crew found and repaired a problem between Robinwood and Hollywood, a half block north of 8028 E. Robinwood.  The crew that responded found no downed power line.  The crew completed its work and left the neighborhood at 4:30 p.m.

• According to statements made by the Detroit Fire Department, a heating contractor actually saw a power line snap and fall onto the garage and start the fire at the Robinwood location.  The Detroit Fire Department also indicated that the fire at the Robinwood address was first reported at 5:15 p.m., which is after our crew  completed its work the area. Detroit Edison did not know of any downed power line at that location prior to the fire.

We know that there have been other instances of energy theft in the area, and there always is the potential for falling power lines and other dangerous situations as people illegally tap into the electrical system.  

Our investigation of this matter continues and will specifically address whether energy theft played a role in this tragic event.  

SOURCE DTE Energy