Bronson Fire Chief Scott Wilber says a malfunctioning furnace most likely started a fire Saturday morning which caused about $200,000 worth of damage to a home at 177 North Butcher Road. The blaze was reported at 9:18 a.m. by a passerby who noticed flames coming from a basement window as no one was home at the time. Wilber reports it is believed that the fire had been burning for some time prior to being discovered. Fire crews arrived to find smoke coming from the roof line and flames coming from the basement windows. The Coldwater Fire Department provided an engine with the Lakeland and Union City Fire Departments supplying one tanker each. Lifecare Ambulance and the Branch County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the scene for standby. No injuries were reported. Damage was estimated at $175,000 to the structure and $25,000 for the contents.