Seven fire departments respond to two fires

(SANILAC COUNTY) – Two fires within an hour of each other kept seven fire departments from three counties busy late Sunday afternoon.

Brown City fire department was dispatched to a structure fire on Isles Road, north of Galbraith Line in Maple Valley Township around 5:30 p.m.

Mutual aid from Elk, Speaker and Brockway Townships was called for a short time later as fire crews battled a stubborn fire in a mobile home that is a known marijuana grow facility.

Drug Task Force Director Jim Johnston said the DTF is assisting the fire department in the investigation. He said the home owner is a known medical care giver with a medical card.

According to firefighters at the scene, the mobile home, determined to be a total loss, had heavily barricaded doors and windows as well as pit bulls on the property.

While at that fire, Brown City received a second call to another structure fire, this one being a pole barn on fire near Clear Lake and Dean Roads.

Brown City sent personnel to that blaze, along with Goodland and North Branch Townships from Lapeer County.

Cause of both fires remains under investigation by fire and law enforcement agencies.