By ELLEN KOLMAN - Staff Writer - ekolman@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon
January 07, 2009 07:46 pm
—
SHEFFIELD TOWNSHIP — A quick response from area fire departments saved the log home located at 4609 Baldwin Road, Tuesday evening.
Sheffield Township Volunteer Fire Department received a call at 5:15 p.m. for a fully involved structure fire owned by Mary Jo and Allen Taylor.
The initial cause of the fire is still under investigation, said Sheffield Fire Chief Dave Kray.
“Onlookers told us they heard the garage explode and saw flames and debris blow onto the north side of the home, igniting it,” he said.
Even though there are no hydrants in the area, putting out the fire was not a problem, as Sheffield Fire Department called for mutual aid. The responding departments had more than enough water in their tankers, said Sheffield assistant fire chief Alan Kohta.
When crews arrived, the garage was engulfed in flames, so the efforts were directed at saving the house.
“The townships that assisted responded quickly and worked very well with us. We were able to save the house because of all the teamwork,” Kohta said. “Crews did an excellent job preventing the progression of the fire on the house.”
Fire departments from Monroe, Kingsville, North Kingsville and Plymouth townships were called to assist in battling the blaze and heavy smoke for four hours.
“The entire house sustained smoke damage on some level, but the north end of the house sustained the most damage and will require extensive repair,” Kohta said.
The Sheffield Fire Department does not have an estimate of the damages, Kohta said.
No one was injured in the fire, including the family cat.
“There was one bedroom on the south side of the house that had its door closed, so it sustained almost no damage, and this is where the family cat was found and recovered that night,” he said.
Crews were called back Wednesday morning for a rekindle of wood in the garage, Kray said. It was small, and some water took care of it, he said.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.