Fire/Rescue

Fire strikes five homes in Kalamazoo; 84-year-old woman OK

Fire damaged or destroyed at least five homes in Kalamazoo, including one where an 84-year-old woman had lived for more than four decades, authorities said Wednesday. The woman was not injured, the Department of Public Safety said. The other properties were vacant. The fires were reported around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Kalamazoo, which was under a 7 p.m. curfew, has been …

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Fire destroys home northwest of Sturgis

A home at Fish Lake was destroyed by fire Sunday. Firefighters from four departments responded to the blaze in the 63000 block of Pine Drive, about 8 miles northwest of Sturgis. Everyone inside the home exited safely, officials said, adding no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still unknown, authorities said. Tri-Township Fire Chief, Max Kulpinski said …

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Fabius Township house fire – Two fatalities

A woman and her daughter died in a fire Monday night at their Fabius Township residence. State police said the victims were 37-year-old Michelle Bixler and 16-year-old Cheyenne Bixler. Due to the location of the fire in the residence, responding police and fire personnel were unable to enter the home until after the blaze was extinguished. The fire took place …

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Barn fire kills 300,000 hens at Otsego poultry farm

About 300,000 hens have died in a barn fire at a southwestern Michigan poultry farm. WWMT-TV reports that the blaze started about 11 a.m. Friday at the Otsego Township farm. The barn was destroyed. Konos Inc. spokesman Brian Burch tells the television station that about 50 people work at the cage-free farm. About 250,000 hens in a second barn were …

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Home destroyed by fire in Union City

Michigan State Police troopers responded over the weekend to a structure fire in Union City. According to a department media release, troopers and fire personnel were dispatched to a location near the intersection of Mendon Road and Division Street in response to a single-story dwelling fully engulfed in flames. All occupants of the residence had safely evacuated prior to the …

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Northern Indiana girl dies of injuries from home fire

An 8-year-old northern Indiana girl has died of injuries she sustained in a fire at her home. The LaGrange County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called to the home in Topeka around 7:15 p.m. Friday on reports of a fire and a child still inside on the second floor. Deputies attempted to enter the home but could not due to …

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Ten departments battle fire

A Park Township manufacturing plant sustained heavy damage from a fire early Saturday. Authorities said no injuries were reported as a result of the 1 a.m. fire at Simpson’s Enterprise Inc., located in the 55000 block of Franklin Drive in Park Township. The blaze required the services of 10 area departments. Officials said flames were visible through the roof of …

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Firefighter injured in Colon Township

A Colon firefighter was injured Thursday battling a blaze at Kountry Corner Discount Store. Authorities said the owner of the Colon Township business believes a wood-burning stove caused the fire, which destroyed the building and its contents. The fire was reported just after 9 a.m. Flames were coming from the structure as first firefighters arrived, according to authorities. The business …

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New engine for TR Fire Department

The Three Rivers Fire Department last week unveiled the newest addition to its vehicle fleet. The Spartan 180 fire engine cost $435,000 and has the capacity to pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute, according to chief Carl Holcomb. He added that the truck can carry 750 gallons of water through its onboard tank. With the latest vehicle delivered, the …

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Fire damages vacant home

Fire damaged a vacant home in the 16000 block of Fawn River Road in White Pigeon Township late Wednesday night. Early Saturday morning, firefighters and St. Joseph County Sheriff deputies were called to the same home for a fire on a deck at the rear of the home. Sheriff deputies called the fire arson. A Michigan State Police fire investigator …

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