FFD assists Blumfield, three other departments, with house fire
A pair of mutual aid calls were a part of the Frankenmuth Fire Department’s active week of alarms, running their 2026 total to 189 calls for service.
At 5:28am Thursday, October 22, the FFD was requested per Tuscola County Central Dispatch 911 for an unknown crash on Frankenmuth Road, between Hart and Richville roads.
FFD Captain Matt Vasicek said first responders did not locate an accident and following a 20-minute search, cleared the scene. Eleven firefighters reported for duty.
Also on October 22, at 1:25pm, the FFD was summoned to assist Blumfield Fire Department for a full-involved structure fire at 10025 East Washington Road (M-81), just west of the M-15 intersection. Frankenmuth joined in with Buena Vista, Reese, and Fairgrove departments.
FFD Chief Phil Kerns advised Engine 1 and five fire personnel assisted for just over two hours with fire suppression and overhaul at this tri-level home that was unoccupied at the time of the blaze and was heavily damaged. There were no known injuries, and thankfully there were no occupants at the time of the fire.
The cause of the inferno remains under investigation. A total of 10 FFD personnel reported to the fire station.
While the E-1 crew was returning from the mutual aid alarm to Blumfield, at 3:59pm, the local department was alerted to an open burn that had jumped the ditch bank and started the adjacent corn stubble field ablaze.
Brush 5, Brush 7m Utility 6 and Engine 1 responded to the 3000 block of South Block Road. Upon arrival, the property owner was operating a tractor with a disk attachment, looking to contain the north wind-driven fire.
“Several acres were impacted and just under 1,000 gallons of water was used to douse the flames,” Kerns said.
“The fire was quickly contained, thanks to the farmer’s actions and the FFD units applied water to hot spots,” added FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla.
Thirteen firefighters reported and cleared an hour later.
At 7:32pm Saturday, October 24, an unknown fire near a barn caused a passerby to notify Saginaw County Central Dispatch 911 of a possible structure fire a half-mile north of Junction Road, in the 9000 block of Maple Road, Frankenmuth Township.
FFD Captain Doug VanWormer reported a permitted controlled burn was found and it was controlled and being attended . The 15 FFD personnel reported and cleared within 15 minutes of the call.
Also on October 24, at 11:05am, the FFD was dispatched to the 9000 block of Warnick Road, Frankenmuth Township, for a general fire alarm.
Further investigation determined the homeowner was replacing smoke detector batteries and triggered the alarm. Fourteen firefighters made the trip to the hall, clearing within minutes.
Alarm No. 189 took place at 4:37am on Sunday, October 25, as the FFD was called to SpringHill Suites, 530 South Main Street, for kitchen smoke detector that was activated.
VanWormer said upon arrival, the staff was venting the area and remnants from some well-cooked food created smoke, setting off the alarm. Engine 2 was able to clear within 20 minutes, along with 11 fire personnel who reported for action.
Last night (October 27) the FFD’s end of the month meeting and training was held, with training consisting of various tasks performed with firefighters wearing their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) air tanks.
The evening also included a meal prepared by Chef Wayne Cormier from a donation received from K&B Builders and a non-profit Frankenmuth Township organization donation proceeds for the evening meal.
Kerns singled out EduPlay for their August dessert donation and FFD Mom Karen Weiss for her regular dessert contributions.
The FFD was on standby at the football field for Friday night’s varsity Eagles game versus Armada. They will continue to lend medical assistance with the Frankenmuth Police Department through the home postseason games.
National Fire Prevention Month continued as last Friday and Monday, Firefighters Brad Thompson and Ethan Crichton visited with List Elementary School pre-school students and kindergarten classes. The two showed their equipment, personal protective gear, and taught them the importance of fire safety at a young age.
On Monday, October 26, 10 students from Frankenmuth’s Sister City, Gunzenhausen, Germany, visited as part of their Frankenmuth Day tour.
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