On Wednesday, June 8, at 9:10 p.m, the Van Buren Township Fire Department was dispatched to 10001 Endicott for a house fire.
As responding fire engines approached the scene, heavy black smoke and flames were seen through the windows.
Van Buren Police Officers were already on scene making sure everyone was safely out of the home and found that no one was living in the home.
Engine 2’s crew arrived at 9:18 pm and set up water supply from a fire hydrant and entered the home to extinguish the flames. Firefighters used ground ladders and other tools to ventilate the heavy smoke through an opening in the roof so other firefighters on the inside had better visibility.
At 9:38 pm the Incident Commander, Lt. Nick Robson, declared the main fire, which started in the kitchen, was out. Firefighters continued to do overhaul, a process of looking for hidden fires and dangers behind walls and in ceilings, extinguishing any other fires they found.
DTE Energy was called to the scene to help secure the electrical and natural gas hazards associated with a house fire. An investigation into the cause of the fire was started and investigators determined a 220 volt electrical line that was connected to the stove had worn on the floor and caused an electrical spark.
The fire was called in by a woman who took part in the recent Van Buren Fire Department Citizen Fire Academy and had been trained in how to be observant and help others.
She was out for a walk and saw the smoke and fire and alerted 911. Discovery of the fire had been delayed since no one was at home at the time. A private contractor, Belfor, was called to secure the home.
The fire department cleared at 11:10 p.m. Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 4, Ladder 2, Rescue 1, Chief 1, Utility 1, and Utility 2 responded to the scene. No injuries were reported. Damage and losses were estimated at $20,000.
Battalion Chief Dan Besson
Public Information Officer