Three buildings destroyed by fire
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
After one of the busiest winters in many years, the Onaway Fire Department (OFD) had several quiet months of little or no activity. That was up until the last 11 days as fires claimed a house trailer, one-story home and a barn. There were thousands of dollars of property damage, but no injuries to occupants or firefighters.
The latest blaze occurred early Thursday morning in Allis Township as crews were dispatched to a house trailer located along M-33 near Six Mile Highway. The call was received at Presque Isle County dispatch at 12:04 a.m. The fire was fully involved when crews arrived.
According to fire chief Roger Nash, the building is a total loss. Forest Waverly and Case Township fire departments assisted at the scene. The Presque Isle County American Red Cross was getting involved in assisting owner Glen Dodge.
Nash said the firefighters were clear of the scene at 1:41 a.m. They poured 7,000 gallons of water on the blaze.
TUESDAY MORNING, a home on College Street in the city of Onaway was gutted by fire. OFD received the call at 5:24 a.m., and even though the smoke was just starting to ventilate, the fire was well advanced and left its mark.
Most of the damage was in the living room area, which also has been placed as the likely origin of the fire. The cause is still under investigation. Nobody was home at the time of the fire.
The Presque Isle County American Red Cross provided casework, which resulted in financial support to provide immediat
JULY 27 AT 11:48 A.M., crews were called to a barn fire behind Ma and Pa?s Country Corner Store.
Nash said the 30? x 40? structure was a ?big ball of fire? when they arrived to put it out. The fire never threatened the store, said Nash. There were no horses in the building. The possible cause is being listed as wind blowing embers from a burn barrel toward the barn 50 feet away, said Nash.
More than 10,000 gallons of water were poured on the fire. Forest Waverly assisted.