Authorities: Fire at small hotel on Detroit’s east side leaves 1 person dead, 2 injured

1 killed, 2 injured in fire at small Detroit hotel

DETROIT — Authorities say illegal electricity was being supplied to a small hotel on Detroit’s east side where one person was killed and two others were injured in a fire that gutted the building.

The Detroit Fire Department was called to the 14-room Paris Hotel on the city’s east side shortly before 5 a.m. Thursday.

Capt. Steve Varnas says space heaters also were being used to keep occupants warm and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

DTE Energy Co. spokesman Len Singer says the utility hadn’t provided electrical service to the location since early 2009.

Owner Manuel Casey had said earlier that he wasn’t aware of any illegal electrical hookup at the hotel.

He said six people were staying on the second floor of the two-story building.