In what many are considering inappropriate and disgusting, firefighters from Detroit were seen posing for a picture in front of a burning house on New Year’s Eve.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media and an investigation will be carried out.
The Detroit Fire Crew can be seen smiling in front of a burning house.
The picture was shared on Facebook by the Detroit Fire Incidents Page along with the caption: “Crews take a moment to get a selfie on New Year’s!”
According to reports, the crew posed for a picture to say goodbye to a colleague that was retiring.
Detroit Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said this is not an appropriate way to say goodbye to someone.
Jones said, “There are a lot of ways to celebrate a retirement. Taking a photo in front of a building fire is not one of them.”
Jones added, “We will investigate this matter and follow the facts where they lead us. If this photo is verified, discipline will be in order. Ninety-nine percent of the men and women who go to a scene like that and know what to do. Behind every fire is a devastated family or property owner.”
The men in the picture said they have received a number of threats after the picture was posted on social media.
After facing backlash, the Detroit Fire Incidents Page released a statement and removed the picture.
The statement said, “In regards to the photo that was removed we would like to clear a few things up, first of us no one at this page took that photo. Second, we were asked to post it by a firefighter for the city of Detroit.”
The statement added, “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. To clarify “threatened” meaning threatened by their work I would assume by their context threatened of punitive actions.”
Retiring or not retiring, it is inappropriate to take a picture in front of someone’s burning house!