Fire destroys M-33 home, no one injured
There were some scary moments for local emergency crews when a call came in early Tuesday of a fully involved structure fire on M-33 near Six Mile Highway, which included an initial report that several people were not accounted for.
Joseph Julian called Presque Isle County central dispatch at 2:51 a.m. to report the blaze. That was followed by numerous 911 calls.
The Onaway Fire Department responded to the scene with mutual aid being provided by Forest-Waverly Fire Department. According to assistant fire chief Bernie Kolasa it was an intense fire, which had burned the garage to the ground by the time they arrived. There were reports of 100 and 20 pound oxygen and propane tanks exploding into the air.
SGT. JOHN KASUBA and deputy Dave Schmoldt from the Presque Isle County Sheriff?s Department were able to learn that only two people were residents of the home, and neither were there when it started.
The building and all its contents were lost. Ty Shalda, 21. At the scene Wednesday he was distraught with
The owner of the home is his father, Ty Shalda. Although two lizards were lost, a pet cat was able to manage to get out.
?There is not a lot to work with,? said Kasuba. ?It was a complete loss.? The only object standing on the lot was the chimney. ?Upon our arrival and the fire department?s arrival, the fire appears to have started in the garage area or the back wall,? said Kasuba. ?I have been focusing my concentration in these areas. They had wood heat, but it had not been used in at least two weeks.?
He said the fire is not suspicious in nature.