Trouble With Detroit Edison, File a Complaint

myFoxDetroit.com Staff - Tuesday, September 7 -- A fire on Detroit's east side laid waste to several homes in one neighborhood.  A total of 17 structures in the area caught fire. ( see video report )  Witnesses tell Fox 2 that someone tried to illegally "hook" up some electricity into a dwelling. 

’Friday, I (saw) two guys with a ladder hooked up to the pole hooking (up) electricity illegally. I called DTE and nobody (came) out here. The lady (told) me she (was) going to give me a service charge if I called back again,’ said Mary Hargrave.

Hargrave claims she and her grandmother saw this coming. They tried to warn DTE, but were ignored repeatedly.

’I called them first thing again this morning after the long weekend’ Every so often my electricity was coming on and off,’ said Shirley Hargrave. ’So, she told me, `Well, ma’am. Someone will be out. I can’t give you a definite date or time.’

A few hours later the flames erupted. Witnesses tell arson investigators it all started because of that live wire.

’An actual heating contractor saw the line snap, fall on the garage and start the garage on fire right where he was, and as he watched it waiting for fire trucks to arrive, it was spreading rapidly due to the wind,’ said Captain Steve Varnas with the Detroit Fire Department Arson Investigation Unit.

So what can you do if you feel DTE is not responding to your concerns? ( In the case of an arcing wire, call DTE, call the Fire Department and call the Police.  Stay way from the wire.)

File a complaint about DTE.  It can make a difference.  Here's information from the MPSC .

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has several publications that provide useful consumer information, tips and alerts that may help customers better understand the issues relating to their concern.

Consumer Alerts and Informational Publications

Consumers are encouraged to first contact their gas , electric  or telephone  company to discuss billing or service issues.  If a resolution cannot be reached, contact the MPSC for help in dealing with utility concerns.

File an On-Line Informal Complaint or Inquiry

Submit an on-line inquiry or informal complaint to MPSC staff by selecting the appropriate category below and completing the form. Your message will be responded to as quickly as possible.

• Submit Telephone Company Inquiry or Complaint
• Submit Natural Gas Utility Inquiry or Complaint
• Submit Electric Utility Inquiry or Complaint
• Submit Video/Cable Inquiry or Complaint

Call the Commission to File a Gas, Electric, or Telephone Informal Complaint

The MPSC's Customer Intake Center is available to assist with your inquiry or informal complaint Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., excluding State holidays, by calling 1-800-292-9555 (from within Michigan) or 517-241-6180 (from outside of Michigan). We encourage you first to contact your utility with your question before calling us.

When you reach us, a Call Intake Assistant will take information on your inquiry or complaint and answer those questions he/she can or direct you to the appropriate person for other issues. At times, call volumes are very high and Intake Assistants are busy with other customers. In this situation, you will be put in a queue and your call will be taken by the next available person. If the queue is full, you will get a busy signal. Please call again. You can also contact us by submitting your inquiry or complaint on-line by clicking on one of the three addresses above or by writing to us at the following address:

Michigan Public Service Commission   Attn: Video Franchising  P.O. Box 30221 Lansing MI 48909 Or submit your complaint via fax: (517) 241-2400