Family Suing Detroit Fire Over Fire Death

The family of a man who died in a house fire last March has filed suit against the Detroit Fire Department. Kevin McGriff, 26, died in the fire, but firefighters apparently missed locating his body. Five days later his body was located by his father who had stopped by the building to search for insurance papers.

The lawsuit alleges that an autopsy report indicates that McGriff may have still been alive and savable after the fire was knocked down.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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