Fire/Rescue

An increase in calls for service and the savings of regional operations will result in a reduced subsidy cost for St. Joseph County governmental units that contract with LifeCare Ambulance. Sturgis Township last month became the first of 12 local jurisdictions to sign a new four-year contract with LifeCare Ambulance for emergency medical response. According to Mike Bobalik, Sturgis Township …

Two people, including a 4-year-old boy, died in a single-vehicle accident Sunday morning in Cass County’s Silver Creek Township. Sheriff Richard Behnke said deputies were called shortly after 3 a.m. to School Street, near Tice Avenue, where a car driven by 21-year-old Jordan White of Dowagiac left the roadway and struck several trees. Investigators said it appears White was driving …

A Sturgis residence sustained smoke and water damage following a fire around 7 p.m. Saturday. Crews were dispatched to the 200 block of North Fourth Street following a report of an upstairs bedroom on fire. Sturgis Police confirmed the presence of smoke from the area in question. Firefighters were advised upon arrival that all occupants had evacuated the residence. A …

A storage garage and motorhomes were destroyed by fire late last week at a facility in Schoolcraft Township. According to Tracy McMillan, chief of the South Kalamazoo County Fire Authority, the department was called at 10 p.m. Thursday to the 15000 block of U.S. 131, where a fire was reported at Cloverleaf RV & Storage Acres. McMillan said heavy smoke …

Two dogs perished in a residential fire Monday afternoon in Fawn River Township. A passerby alerted central dispatch at 1:30 p.m. that a house in the 30000 block of U.S. 12 was ablaze. Investigators said it appears the fire originated in a breezeway between the home and a garage/workshop. A preliminary assessment shows the fire was likely electrical in nature.

Constantine Village Council members on Monday discussed a Jan. 11 fire that destroyed a historical residence at 320 S. Washington St., between the post office and Eley Funeral Home. Village Manager Mark Honeysett expressed mild surprise that, considering the intense heat from the blaze, there wasn’t more damage to the post office, although the plastic on one of its meters …

A single-family residence in Sturgis appears to be a total loss after it sustained fire, smoke and water damage early Monday. The Sturgis Fire Department said it was called at 4:10 a.m. to the 400 block of West West Street. Crews were advised by Sturgis Police that all occupants of the residence had escaped. Fire officials arrived to the scene …

State police are investigating what is being called a suspicious fire stemming from an incident last month in Fawn River Township. Coated copper wire was found to be burning at 7 a.m. Jan. 25 in a forested area on private property in the area of Freedom and Carls roads, according to a department media release.

State police fire officials are continuing their investigation into a blaze that killed one person Monday in White Pigeon Township. Additional details about the fire and its victim have not yet been released by authorities, other than the victim was a man. State police were called at 10:20 p.m. to the 19000 block of Fawn River Road after White Pigeon …

A fire hydrant in the village of Centreville was damaged by a vehicle driven by a hit-and-run driver this week. Sheriff’s officials said the incident occurred around 8 p.m. Sunday on East Market Street, near the intersection of Clinton Street. Investigators said it appears the vehicle was heading west on Market when it left the roadway and collided with the …