Area fire departments have been busy
There have been a rash of fires in the past two weeks throughout the WMIC/Sanilac Broadcasting listening area. Firemen from multiple departments have battled extreme weather conditions to battle fires, some of which may have been as a result of alternative heating units being used to thaw pipes.
Following the tragic fatal fire in Sanilac County’s Custer Township earlier this month, two more Sanilac County families have been burned out of their homes. Lexington firefighters responded to a house fire on County Farm Road around 3 a.m. last Saturday morning that left a family homeless and escaping flames with the clothes on their back. Lexington fire department was assisted by Applegate and Croswell fire departments. Cause of the fire is still under investigation. The family of Brandon Schoettle was not injured in the blaze and could use your help. To donate, call 810-294-7002.
A day earlier, Speaker Township fire department responded to a fully engulfed house fire on School Road, between Brown City and Peck. Speaker firemen responded around 8 p.m. with assistance from Elk Township and Brown City fire department. According to Speaker Township Chief Tim Patterson, the home was a total loss and the family did not have insurance. Fire investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. The American Red Cross was called in to assist families in both fires.
A four-alarm house fire destroyed a Huron County home Christmas night after firemen said they believe tree lights caused a live tree to ignite. Firemen responded to the home on Church Road near Kinde around 10 p.m. and found it fully engulfed. Kinde Area Fire Department had a full assist from the Bad Axe, Port Austin and Sigel Fire Departments with firemen staying on the scene for just over three hours. Frigid cold and strong westerly winds hindered fire fighting efforts. No injuries were reported in the blaze.
Bone-chilling weather hampered efforts of firefighters from four departments Wednesday morning when a 40 x 40 pole barn at a wholesale nursery in Richmond Township was destroyed in a fire. Memphis firefighters responded to the blaze at D & B Plants on Pratt Road around 11 a.m. The fire was fully involved when firefighters arrived. Firefighters from Richmond, Emmett and Armada also responded while Kimball Township firefighters covered the Memphis station. The fire remains under investigation, but fire officials said alternative heating sources were being used to thaw frozen pipes.
