Dogs, cats lost in fire; owner escapes.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — Fire destroyed a historic Sixth Street house Monday morning. Tim Castonia was sleeping and was awoken by an explosion in his house at 5442 W. Sixth Street, according to his father, Gary Castonia. Gary’s wife, Brooke, was not home at the time. While Tim was able to escape, his three dogs and two cats were lost in the fire.

Pere Marquette Township Fire Department and Ludington Fire Department were dispatched to the fire about 7:30 a.m. The first unit on the scene reported the house was fully engulfed in flames. Strong winds from the southwest fanned the fire making it difficult to extinguish.

The house has been in the Castonia family for three generations. It was also owned by the Klemm family at one time, according to Don Klemm who was on the scene.

After an hour into the fire, aerial trucks were used to put large quantities of water on the fire. Hamlin Township Fire Department was also called in for assistance.

An ambulance was also called to tend to P.M. Fire Chief Larry Gaylord. His medical condition was unknown but the ambulance did not transport the chief.