Photo submitted by LFD
By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — Fire destroyed a Ludington home early this morning. Ludington Fire Department was dispatched to 621 E. Melendy St. at 12:39 a.m. for a report of a play set on fire in a backyard. Within a couple minutes, Mason-Oceana 911 updated responding firefighters with information that a house was on fire.
Ludington Fire Department Assistant Chief Andy Larr said the original call was due to a neighbor reporting what they had seen in their back yard. He said the house was occupied by two adults and a minor child.
“They were awoken by their smoke detectors,” Larr said. “If they hadn’t had smoke detectors, the outcome would have been far worse. They were able to get themselves out their front door as flames literally chased them.”
Larr said the house was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on scene.
“The entire back of the house was on fire. There were flames coming out of the upstairs windows. That fire had gotten a pretty good start before we were even called.”
Larr said fire burned off the house’s electric service line, causing a live wire to be active in the backyard, a hazard to firefighters. Consumers Energy was called and shut off the power to the line. Consumers personnel also needed to shut off power to the house directly to the west as heat had caused damage to the house’s electric meter, and the siding of the house.
Larr said the family of the house at 621 E. Melendy St. is being assisting by American Red Cross. The occupant of the neighboring house was able to seek shelter elsewhere without the need for additional assistance.
Other fire units on scene included Pere Marquette Fire Department, Hamlin Fire Department, and Riverton Fire Department. Also assisting on seen were Ludington Police Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Consumers Energy, and DTE. Larr said the gas line had been damaged in the fire and DTE personnel had to dig into the ground to shut it off.
Larr said he does not know the origin of the fire and therefore has requested assistance from the Michigan State Police fire marshal, who is expected to be at the house next week. Larr said he doesn’t believe the fire was intentional.
Firefighters cleared the scene about 4 a.m.
Photo submitted by LFD
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