VBT grass fire starts on Martz Road following tree clearing work

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
In the late afternoon on Thursday, April 4, Van Buren Township Fire Fighters were dispatched to a fire in the 49700 block of Martz Road, west of Hoeft.
VBT Fire Chief Dan Besson said someone had been cutting down trees and lighting them on fire which started tall grass on fire in the woodlines.
He said there was a vacant house on the property, covered with Tyvex, with a building permit that expired a year ago. There also were several trailers in the backyard and someone had been clearing trees.
A neighbor saw smoke and called 911. Chief Besson said he called for mutual aid from surrounding communities.
Chief Besson said Belleville brought their Humvee, Augusta Township brought its grass rig and Gator, and Sumpter Township brought two people and its grass truck.
He said fire fighters went in to fight the fire from three directions: one from the sod far and through backyards from Hoeft and Martz. The fire was extinguished in a couple of hours.
Chief Besson said township building officials are looking into the situation.