Two firefighters were trapped but rescued during an early morning fire in Lapeer this past Saturday, February 3.
Emergency responders, including the City of Lapeer’s Fire and Rescue, responded to “a significant fire incident” at 1313 Imlay City Road in Lapeer, shortly after 6:00 a.m. on Saturday. Serving as the primary unit, Lapeer City Fire and Rescue received mutual aid from Elba Township Fire Department and additional resources by the fire departments of Attica Township, Metamora Township and Davison.
When the first crew arrived shortly before 6:05 a.m., they discovered smoke showing from the roof, and forced entry was required to enter the building. With the fire in the attic and ceiling deck void space, suppression efforts were complicated by the sheet metal ceiling and multiple layers of roofing materials.
While attempting to suppress the blaze, a roof and ceiling collapse occurred, with two trapped firefighters being pulled to safety by the remaining interior response team, composed of a fire officer and two firefighters. Though one firefighter did sustain a shoulder injury during the process, no other injuries were reported. Following the rescue, crews focused their efforts on the building’s exterior.
The building is owned by Midstate Well Drilling but was being used as a storage facility for MKX/Berry Green Management at the time of the fire. Imlay City Road was closed for almost six hours during the incident, with it reopening around 11:40 a.m. The fire’s origin and cause remains under investigation.
Also assisting crews at the scene were the Lapeer City Police, Michigan State Police, Lapeer City Department of Public Works, and Lapeer City’s Building Department.
