Fire next to BYC destroys polebarn, 6 cars

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
On Feb. 5, Van Buren Township fire fighters called fire departments from the City of Belleville and Sumpter Township to help fight a pole barn fire at 855 E. Huron River Drive, next door to the BYC clubhouse.
Fire Chief Dan Besson said there were six cars of different types and values in the large, lakeside garage that caught fire.
Chief Besson said the homeowner went out to the garage to get a car and smelled something. He saw the fire and tried to put it out himself, but when he couldn’t he called 911.
Chief Besson said firefighters saw smoke from the eaves of the garage upon arrival. Two fire fighters were sent in, but it was hard to get through the garage with all the vehicles inside.
Then, they saw fire coming out of the eaves and the smoke inside turned to fire and the roof was ablaze. Chief Besson said that when the fire fighters backed out of the building.
The fire call came in to dispatch at 11:19 a.m. and Engine 4 with the South Duty Crew was on the way at 11:21 and at the scene at 11:28. The fire was under control at 1:08 p.m. and fire fighters cleared the scene at 2:48 p.m.
Chief Besson said the City of Belleville brought a truck and three fire fighters and Sumpter brought a truck and four fire fighters.
The cause of the fire is under determination and the insurance company is investigating, Chief Besson said.
He said the family who owns the detached garage and home next door used to own Belleville Bakery years ago.
VBT property records list 855 E. Huron River Drive as owned by Vlado and Blagica Kosatadinoski.
Chief Besson said a shed on the BYC property was damaged slightly by the heat, but not burned.
He said it was fortunate that there is a fire hydrant right in front of the BYC building so that hydrant could be used to hook up a hose to fight the fire next door. Otherwise, fire fighters would have to try to access hydrants on E. Huron River Drive, a great distance from the fire, Chief Besson said.