DTE Finds Illegal Gas Hookup in Detroit

Some Detroit residents have been living in very real danger. The renters said the landlord offered free heat. Investigators say the problem is that he was stealing the natural gas with a very risky, illegal hookup.

DTE Energy says the landlord failed to pay the bill on an apartment complex on the Southfield Service Drive in northwest Detroit. 75 renters thought they were getting free utilities.

Tenants have been smelling gas for weeks.

"There's a sign outside (that) indicates heat is provided, included in with the rent, and in this case, the landlord has not paid his bill and, in fact, was shut off in March," said DTE Investigator Michael Lynch. "He's illegally restored the service, creating an extremely dangerous situation for the tenants that live here every day."

This has been a very dangerous situation. Natural gas from the illegal hookup has been leaking into the air.

"We've been smelling it on and off a little bit for about a week, but to my understanding, it's been leaking for about a month," said renter Joseph Dixon.

In fact, one tenant said he saw a man perform the illegal hookup. "Sunday night... he paid a guy in a white van $250 to install it for him. We heard him talking right through the window," he said. "But it leaked, so I brought that to the attention of the manager when I went to pay rent and told him that we could smell it coming through the window."

DTE says they'll re-connect the building so at least the residents won't freeze. The heat will be on for a limited time.

If you ever think you smell gas, call 9-1-1.