Frankenmuth Fire nearing 200 alarms for the year 2025
The Frankenmuth Fire Department responded to seven calls for service, with five of them coming over the weekend, raising the 2025 alarm number to 195 runs.
At 5:20pm Tuesday, November 4, the FFD responded to arcing wires behind Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth, 730 South Main Street.
FFD Captain Doug VanWormer said a utility electrical wire had burned off. Consumers Energy was contacted, and Engine 2 cleared the scene within 20 minutes, with 15 firefighters reporting for duty.
At 8:40pm Thursday, November 6, a fire alarm was activated at Winter Village, 255 Mayer Road, drawing out the FFD. VanWormer noted interior painting set off the alarm, and the department was able to quickly confirm and clear, sending nine fire personal home for the night.
Four alarms comprised Saturday afternoon, November 8, beginning at 4:09pm, with a large amount of white smoke coming from bins at the Star of the West Milling Company – Gera Plant and called Saginaw County Central Dispatch 911 to report a possible fire.
FFD Lt Eric MacKinnon said Engine 2 responded and prior to arrival, learned from Star of the West staff it was steam coming from drying harvested product, which is typical of this time of year. All quickly cleared the scene.
While returning from Star -Gera Plant, at 4:32pm, Engine 2 crew reported a large amount of black smoke rising from an area west of North Main Street.
While traveling to check on the origin of the smoke, 911 Central Dispatch activated the FFD for an outside fire in the 600 block of Churchgrove Road. Fire personnel arrived and observed a grass fire in the backyard of a residence.
The homeowner had been burning some twigs and his smokeless burning container caught fire. The fire was extinguished, and homeowners are reminded that there is no open burning within the city limits, even in containers.
“The city has several options to dispose of branches and other yard waste through curbside collection programs. Engine 2 and Brush 7 responded, with nine firefighters working the alarm.
Later Saturday evening, at 7:09pm, Frankenmuth Fire was requested by the Frankenmuth Police and MMR Ambulance Service for a pedestrian struck by a vehicle at the intersection of South Main and Jefferson streets.
Fire personnel assisted in routing vehicular traffic, as the city was very busy, FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla said.
While assisting with the struck pedestrian, the FFD was activated for a fire alarm at Bells of Bavaria, 435 West Schleier Street at 7:47pm.
FFD Chief Phil Kerns said Engine 2 traveled to the apartment complex to find a pull station had been activated inside the building, with no fire. A total of 13 firefighters made the trip to the station for the two alarms, and all units cleared within 90 minutes of the calls.
On Sunday, November 9, alarm No. 195 took place at 5:48pm for a rollover crash on Swaffer Road, east of Lewis Road, in western Tuscola County. It was reported the car was on fire and heavy snow was entering the area.
Arriving at the scene, the vehicle was not on fire, but the lone male occupant ended upside down in ditch. The vehicle struck and knocked down two trees, which fell onto and blocked the roadway.
The driver denied medical assistance and said he swerved to avoid striking a deer. Nearby neighbors cleared the fallen trees with a chainsaw and tractor. The Tuscola County Sheriff’s Department is investigating, and the Millington-Arbela Fire Department also helped out at the scene. Fifteen firefighters reported and cleared after one hour.
In other FFD news, on Tuesday, November 11, fire personnel conducted practice on a vacant home in the 900 block of South Main Street, prior to some improvement work being planned for the property.
Last Saturday morning, the FFD operated its public safety drone in trying to find a missing steer in the 4000 block of Maple Road, Frankenmuth Township. They did not find the steer.
The final Frankenmuth varsity home football game was played Friday evening, November 7, for the MHSAA Division 5 District championship game, won by the Eagles, 38-6. Utility 6 stood by with a two-person medical crew.
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