Firefighters Criticized For Taking Group Photo In Front Of Burning House

Authorities in Detroit have launched an investigation after a group of 18 firefighters posed for a group photograph in front of a burning house on New Year's Eve. The photo was posted to the official Detroit Fire Incidents Facebook page and captioned, “Crews take a moment to get a selfie on New Years!”

After the photo went viral, Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones issued a statement saying he will investigate the incident and could discipline the firefighters in the picture.

“There are a lot of ways to celebrate a retirement. Taking a photo in front of a building fire is not one of them. We will investigate this matter and follow the facts where they lead us. If this photo is verified, discipline will be in order.”

The photograph was pulled down from the group after some of the firefighters received threats.

“In regards to the photo that was removed we would like to clear a few things up, First of [all] no one at this page took that photo; Second we were asked to post it by a firefighter for the city of Detroit; Third the only reason it was removed is we received messages by guys on the job stating that they had been threatened for the photo being posted,” one of the group's moderators wrote.

Officials confirmed that the burning house, as well as the building next door, were vacant. The firefighters never went inside the home and had to fight it from the outside. The fire gutted the house, leaving just the brick entryway standing.


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