National ‘Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters’ event in Marquette Township urges community support

VIDEO: The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation urges people to show support for those who gave their lives in the line of duty. Until Sunday, the Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters event urges people to replace their outdoor lights with red lightbulbs. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation started this to recognize the foundation’s 25th anniversary and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend. Lauren Zyburt, Marquette Township fire inspector/firefighter/EMT, said everyone appreciates the support. “It’s nice for community members to show their support,” Zyburt said. “I mean, I know we appreciate it and I know all the families of the fallen firefighters also probably appreciate just a little bit of light to show your support.” More information on the event can be found on the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation website.
WLUC-TV NBC/FOX 6 Marquette

VIDEO: Ypsilanti firefighters rescue ducklings from drain in hotel parking lot

The Ypsilanti Township Fire Department is being recognized for their quick action to help save local wildlife this week. Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest staff sent 7 News Detroit video of firefighters rescuing baby ducklings from a drain in the hotel’s parking lot. According to the hotel staff, on April 30, they noticed a duck in the parking lot distressed. That’s when they discovered numerous baby ducklings had fallen through the grate. After the firefighters rescued the ducklings, the duck reportedly marched them back to a nearby pond. “Thank you again to the responders for their compassion and heart!” stated Robin Lieb, sales coordinator at Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, in an email.
WXYZ-TV ABC 7 Detroit

No one injured after house fire in Grand Rapids

VIDEO: The Grand Rapids Fire Department responded to a house fire in Grand Rapids on Wednesday. According to the Grand Rapids Fire Department (GRFD), crews responded to a home in the 500 block of Woodlawn on Wednesday afternoon for reports of heavy black smoke. Crews said there was a report that a man was seen running into the home and that children were safely brought out. GRFD said there were no reports of injuries and most of the fire had been put out. The department also said they responded to the same block of Woodlawn on April 27 for a fire. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.
WZZM-TV ABC 13 Grand Rapids

Battle Creek Fire Department: House fire caused by rodent

Firefighters say nobody was hurt in a Battle Creek house fire, though the home suffered thousands of dollars’ worth of property damage. It happened around 4 p.m. Monday on the 12000 block of Sonoma Road, near Minges Road, according to the Battle Creek Fire Department. Firefighters say a small rodent was storing walnuts inside the wall and, in the process, chewed through the AC electrical feed, which arced. This caused the material in the wall to catch fire, according to the fire department. The department says the homeowner quickly noticed the problem, left the home and called for help. The fire was largely contained in the laundry room area at the back of the house, it says, and there wasn’t much smoke damage to the rest of the home.
WOOD-TV NBC 8 Grand Rapids

Kitchen Fire Displaces Residents At Brighton Senior Living Community

The Brighton Area Fire Authority is stressing the importance of working fire suppression systems following a kitchen fire at a senior living community. A fire broke out shortly before 4am Monday morning in a second-floor unit at Independence Village of Brighton Valley, located off Nemco Way, and crews were called out on a water flow alarm. Deputy Fire Chief Brian Siriani tells WHMI two sprinklers activated and suppressed the fire, and crews cleared the building of additional smoke from the second and third floors. The cause is believed to be an unattended cooking fire. Two occupants were treated for smoke inhalation. Siriani said there was some damage caused by the sprinklers and water draining down the hall and into the bottom floor.
WHMI-FM 93.5 Howell

Update: Officials reveal cause of barn fire at St. Joseph County Grange Fair

The Village of Centreville Fire Department has revealed the cause of the fire at the St. Joseph County Grange Fair on Saturday. According to Dave Miracle, the Village of Centreville Fire Department's fire chief, the cause of the fire was a powerline coming from the power pole to the weather head on Barn #42. The power line shorted out, causing arching and sparking, which caused the roof of Barn #42 to catch fire. High winds caused the fire to spread quickly. Estimated total losses from the fire is valued at $2.8 million, including the contents of the barn and the barn itself. Approximately 26 boats and trailers were being stored in the barn at the time of the fire, according to officials. Additionally, barns 41 and 43 suffered damage due to the extreme heat, along with two large trees and power/internet connections.
WWMT-TV CBS 3 Kalamazoo