Neighbors' homes catch fire in Raisin Township

RAISIN TWP. — Fire damaged neighboring houses right near the Raisin Township hall and fire station Monday night.

The Raisin Township Fire Department was dispatched to 3172 Gady Road at 9:47 p.m. Monday to a report of smoke filling the home, Raisin Township Fire Department Chief Jim Hannah said. The house is two doors down from the township hall.

On arrival, the firefighters found the residence filled with smoke. The next-door neighbor at 3158 Gady Road, which is next to the driveway off Gady to the township hall, then came out to inform the firefighters that he had a fire at his house, which had black smoke coming out of the front door.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fires within 15 minutes and no injuries were reported. The fire appears to have started at an electrical box but is still under investigation, Hannah said. Consumers Energy assisted with turning off the electricity to both houses and Midwest Energy and Communications was also on the scene.

The residence at 3172 Gady was occupied by a husband and wife and 3158 Gady was occupied by five people.

The American Red Cross was called to the scene and assisted the occupants of the homes with lodging, personal care items and food.

“There was very minimal structural damage. The biggest concern is that it appears to be electrical related. The biggest concern is for them to get electricians in there to check the safety of their electrical wiring and equipment before they reoccupy the house. That’s why we called Consumers. They were able to shut the power off to both residences for us,” Hannah said.

The Raisin Township Fire Department was assisted by the fire departments of the city of Adrian, Adrian Township, the Tecumseh and Palmyra Township and Lenawee Community Ambulance.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Neighbors' homes catch fire in Raisin Township