NOVI, Mich. – A Novi apartment complex was destroyed after a massive fire broke out Saturday night.
The fire happened around 8:45 p.m. at the complex off Eight Mile Road near Meadowbrook Road.
The fire started quickly and spread to 16 units. Residents were told to evacuate the complex. People could do nothing but watch as Novi firefighters tried to limit the spread of the fire.
Some families lost everything. Hilary Hitte's two dogs were trapped in the fire.
"I'm praying that it was not the fire and maybe that they are gone that it was smoke, because maybe that would have at least been more painless for them," said Hitte. "I'm just devastated. I don't even know where to begin."
In total, four pets are unaccounted for. Hitte was horrified to come home and see her apartment complex in flames.
"Now we don't have our home, we don't have our dogs, we don't have anything," Hitte said.
The fire department was at the complex Wednesday night for an odor investigation. It's unclear if this investigation is linked to Saturday night's fire.
A dozen families were not be able to return home Saturday night. Local 4 News is told the Red Cross will be helping those left homeless.
"It's horrible. I don't even know where I'm going. I don't have nothing. Everything I have is what I have on," said Dondrrel Cutts. "My wife's grandmother's ashes are up in that building. You've got sentimental value that will never be replaced. Her pictures of her mother who passed away years ago, it can never be replaced."