COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — A large fire at York Creek Apartments on Alpine in Comstock Park destroyed a garage, but no one was hurt.
Around 11 a.m. Saturday the Alpine Township Fire Department as well as the Walker and Plainfield Township Fire Departments responded to the fire at the apartment complex.
Residents said they heard a popping noise and some sort of explosion before the fire started.
When crews arrived on the scene, they said they found multiple poles and wires on top of a garage building, with smoke showing.
The Alpine Firefighters Association said because live wires were down, the crews weren't able to use water to put the fire out. However, they protected exposed structures and remained on the scene to make sure residents were safe.
Firefighters evacuated people in nearby apartments until the fire was brought under control.
Clark said 36 apartment units were evacuated as a precaution, but there was no fire, damage or concern for any residential units.
One 20-stall garage building was affected by the fire and is considered a total loss, according to a spokesperson from York Creek Apartments, Craig Clark.
Clark said the initial assessment of the damage has shown four cars were damaged along with some personal property items.
York Creek's office served as a temporary shelter for residents with snacks and water. The Rapid also had busses parked on the property for residents to stay in. The American Red Cross of Michigan had a shelter set up at Fire Station #1 as well.
All of the fire crews left around 4:30 p.m.
Later in the evening, around 5:45 p.m., all three fire departments were dispatched for smoke in the building and alarms sounding at the 3900 block of Yorkland.
When crews arrived they found smoke caused by food left on the stove when the power initially went out. When power briefly came back on, the stove was still on, burning the food. There was no damage to the property or injuries.
Around 6 p.m., Walker units responded to a structure fire in the 600 block of 4 Mile Road NW. It was determined to be an electrical equipment problem caused by power being restored at a partial line voltage.
At 6:17 p.m., personnel responded to a reported structure fire in the 3900 block of Yorkland, near the scene of the original fire Saturday morning.
Alpine Firefighters Association said because existing lines were down, with the assistance of Consumers Energy crews and other contractors, units were able to access and find heavy fire showing from a three-story apartment building.
According to Clark, 24 residential units spread across two buildings were impacted by the fire. Two of the units were vacant, and residents of the other 22 have found shelter.
The association said while crews were able to stop the fire, there is significant water and fire damage to the structure. There were no injuries.
As of Sunday morning residents have been able to retrieve some personal belongings, Clark said. Consumers Energy is working to restore power where possible and water extraction has begun.
Around 6:40 p.m. there was a call about another possible structure fire in the 4100 block of Alpenhorn Drive NW.
Units from Plainfield who were headed to the fire on Yorkland diverted to investigate the potential fire. Crews asked Wright-Tallmadge Fire and Grand Rapids Fire to help.
Once more, crews found food left on the stove that was still on from the earlier power outage, which burned when the power was briefly restored. Again, there were no damages or injuries.
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