(Flynn Township) – An unidentified passerby is being credited with helping a Brown City area family escape a five-alarm blaze early Monday morning. The fire left the Flynn Township family burned out of their home for the holidays. Brown City Fire Chief Keith Redlin said the home on Maple Valley, north of Peck Road, was engulfed in flames when the first trucks arrived on scene around 6 a.m. The passerby was banging on the windows trying to wake the family up as smoke detectors were going off, according to Redlin.
Firefighters from Elk and Speaker Township, Marlette and North Branch assisted at the scene, remaining on the scene until 9a.m. to douse hot spots and flare-ups. Redlin said the fire started in the area of a family room and spread quickly, destroying most of the home including some of the family’s Christmas gifts. The home was occupied by a couple and their young child, according to Redlin.
The family is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross.
