BLISSFIELD, Mich. — The Blissfield Fire Department is down to two trucks after a blaze damaged part of the fire station and much of the department’s fleet.
The blaze broke out at 6:37 a.m. Saturday in the bay area of the fire department, at 315 E. Adrian St., Blissfield. Michigan State Police are investigating what caused the fire.
Three firefighters were taken to ProMedica Toledo Hospital for smoke inhalation, Blissfield fire Chief Dale Fruchey said. They were treated and released and are doing well.
Damage to the building included the bay area, where the trucks park, the fire station’s roof, and several of the station’s vehicles. One ambulance was a total loss, Chief Fruchey said. Five other trucks, including the station’s second ambulance, ladder truck, tanker, and brush truck are out of service because of fire damage.
He did not know the estimated cost of the damage.
The station has two operable trucks, one of which is a tanker, Chief Fruchey said. So firefighters can still respond to fire calls and handle small blazes in the community, which is the chief’s first priority.
“We’re here for them,” the chief said. “No matter how bad we get knocked down.”
Any fire calls for the station from dispatch will also be sent to all neighboring fire departments, Chief Fruchey said. For the time being, other departments will automatically respond to Blissfield fire calls to assist the department, and Blissfield will be able to use some of its neighbors’ equipment.
Chief Fruchey said the department has to find a temporary home. Some of its trucks are being housed in neighboring departments or by downtown businesses. He also needs to test the equipment that is out of service to make sure it can be safely brought back into service.
He said support from the community in the wake of the fire has been amazing.
“I can’t say enough about it,” he said. “It’s been great. I can’t thank them enough.”
First Published December 10, 2018, 12:28 a.m.
