Downed power line causes electrical fire in house.

Downed power line causes electrical fire in house.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — A downed power line on Woodrow Road created an overload of electricity to a nearby house Monday evening, June 21, causing an electrical fire, said Shelby-Benona Fire Chief Jack White.

“They smelled smoke in the house by where the wire went down,” said Chief White. “There was an overload of electricity to the house.”

Firefighters checked inside the walls and ceilings with cameras and found a hot wire running through the ceiling,  he said. The insulation was burning.

The approximate 4,000-square-foot house at 3919 W. Woodrow Rd. was in the process of being remodeled.

The Shelby department was assisted by Hart and Grant fire departments. The neighboring departments were dispatched after smoke could be seen coming out of the eaves. When the walls were opened, flames could be seen.

“We didn’t use a lot of water — it was less than 300 gallons,” said White. There is some smoke and water damage to the house, which is insured.

The family of five who lives in the house is temporarily staying with neighbors. The house currently has no power due to the fire. The American Red Cross will help the family with further housing needs.

Firefighters were initially called to the downed power line at 5 p.m., said White, and his department did not clear the scene until 9:30 p.m.

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals who support our service. Click on the PayPal donation button located on the top right of our website. 

This story is copyrighted © 2021, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.