On Dec. 9, 1920, a grease spill on a kerosene stove ignited a fire in the basement of the Grand Blanc consolidated school. The blaze proved to be too much for the neighbors who formed a bucket brigade, and the building burned to the ground.
It was then that a group of Grand Blanc business owners decided the community needed its own fire department. And, some time in 1924, they purchased a new Ford Model T fire truck and the volunteer fire department was officially formed to serve Grand Blanc, Atlas and Mundy townships.
This year, the Grand Blanc Township Fire Department will celebrate its centennial with two major events starting with the Firefighter for a Day 5K Run/Walk and festivities on International Firefighters Day, Saturday, May 4, at Creasey Bicentennial Park.