4 departments battle blaze; no injuries reported

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

ELBRIDGE TWP. — Four fire departments battled a house fire at 1831 N. 116th Ave. near Polk Road Tuesday morning, Feb. 3. No one was inside the home owned by Kevin Hallack, and no injuries were reported.

Fire crews from Walkerville, Crystal Township, Ferry Township and Hart were still on scene two hours after the blaze was dispatched shortly after 8 a.m. The home, which is insured, sustained major damage and appears to be a total loss.

Hallack, who lived in the one-story home with his cousin David Bowen, said he was at work and received a call from a friend that his house was on fire. He quickly arrived at the scene to find the home where he has lived for almost four years fully engulfed in fire. He said there were no pets inside the home. Several snowmobiles parked near the home appeared to be safe from the blaze. Fire crews worked hard to get the fire under control after about an hour of being toned out to the scene. Several neighbors stood outside to watch the firefighters battle the blaze, and a huge cloud of smoke could be seen from miles away.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Hallack said his home was heated by a woodstove.

Shelby-Benona and Hart fire departments were dispatched to 349 N. Pine St. where smoke was coming from the upstairs of the home Tuesday, Feb. 2, at approximately 10:30 p.m. Hart Fire Chief Ken Klotz said it was an electrical fire, and three adult occupants had to seek shelter at a nearby hotel because the power was shut off after the fire was extinguished.