Minor injuries in apartment fire; donations being accepted.

Minor injuries in apartment fire; donations being accepted.

Big Hart Brewing Company and Gale’s IGA are designated drop-off sites.

#OceanaCountyNews #Hart

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

UPDATE: Oceana County Emergency Management Coordinator James Duram notified OCP at 4:46 p.m. Thursday that residents will not be able to return to their apartments until Friday due to utility issues.

HART — The six people who were injured in a massive fire at the Parkview Manor apartment complex at 710 East Main Street early Thursday morning, Dec. 15, have all been treated and released for minor injuries, said Oceana County Emergency Management Coordinator James Duram.

At least 16 people lost their homes due to the blaze that destroyed two eight-unit buildings just 10 days before Christmas, Duram said.

The other tenants who were evacuated from the remaining four buildings are expected to be able to return to their apartments later this afternoon, Duram said.

Red Cross is helping the displaced residents, most of whom are staying with family and friends, he said.

Big Hart Brewing Company and Gale’s IGA, both located in Hart, are designated donation drop-off sites, Duram said. Most of the tenants are above the age of 50 with one in her 20s. The 16 or more people have lost everything. They are in need of winter clothing, household items and hygiene products, he said.

Five of the six people injured suffered from either smoke inhalation or hypothermia in the single-digit temperatures and wind chills recorded at -10 degrees. One person suffered either a broken arm or shoulder from “hanging out a window and dropping out,” Duram said.

“I am thankful there were no fatalities,” the emergency coordinator said. “Everybody came together, and it was a great response. These conditions are not easy for firefighters, because their gear freezes up. Hats off to all who responded.”

Duram also credited the Oceana County Medical Care Facility located across the street from Parkview Manor. The facility provided immediate shelter for the tenants in the frigid conditions. “Hats off to them for being very accommodating.”

A total of 81 residents evacuated the complex. “People were jumping out windows,” said Hart Area Fire Chief Ken Klotz.

Investigators are on scene trying to determine what caused the 12:36 a.m. fire.

Police from the Hart, Shelby and Pentwater departments responded to the scene, as well as the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office and the Hart post of the Michigan State Police. In addition to the Hart Area Fire Department, firefighters from Shelby-Benona, Pentwater and Ferry Township responded to the huge fire. Mason County’s Pere Marquette Township Fire Department was called in for its aerial truck. The Norton Shores Fire Department Canteen Unit was also on scene to provide beverages and snacks to the firefighters battling the blaze in frigid conditions. Multiple EMS units also responded.

No firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, Duram said.

The apartment complex is insured.