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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP — Four fire departments battled a fire at 5717 E. Sugar Grove Road Sunday evening. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to an area around the wood stove and chimney, where the fire likely began.
“There was fire damage in the attic, up in the ceiling and the living room,” Fountain Area Fire Department Assistant Chief Barry Ruger said. “There was smoke and water damage throughout the house. The home owners had just built an addition onto the house and we really tried to limit the damage. But, we had to stop the fire.”
Homeowners John and Elise Chalko, along with their three children, were home at the time of the fire and were unharmed.
Fountain Area Fire Department was assisted by Branch Fire Department, Custer Fire Department, and Scottville Fire Department. Also on scene was Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Fountain Area Fire Department Auxiliary and Great Lakes Energy.
Initially, firefighters were called to the wrong address. Mason-Oceana 911 dispatched Scottville Fire Department, Fountain Area Fire Department, and Hamlin Fire Department to 517 E. Sugar Grove Road at 8:01 p.m. At 8:11 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the correct address. Hamlin Fire Department was then disregarded and Custer and Branch fire departments were additionally called to assist.
Ruger, who was in charge of the fire scene, said the mishap did not cause delay.
“I live right around the corner from the 500 block of East Sugar Grove,” Ruger said, “and I could see there clearly was no fire in that area. Additionally, Luke McVicker, who serves on Branch Fire Department, received a phone call that his friends’ house was on fire and he confirmed the right address.” Ruger added that the first fire truck from Fountain Area Fire Department was able to redirect without delay. “The truck had been on Reek Road heading south when the correction was made. So, he just turned east on Sugar Grove instead of west.
“It can be very intense when a 911 call is made and sometimes weak cell signals can also cause communications issues,” Ruger said.
At 8:45 p.m., Ruger declared the fire contained. Firefighters cleared the scene about 10 p.m.
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