Oven fire, accidents keep the Frankenmuth Fire Dept. busy
A carbon monoxide alarm, vehicle crash, oven fire, and minor fire alarm calls were part of the Frankenmuth Fire Department’s action last week.
At 9:09am Tuesday, January 20, the FFD was called for CO detector activating at a residence in the 400 block of Leslie Drive.
Engine 2 responded and found that the newer style detector was falsely activated and there were no readings on the department’s gas detector. Eight firefighters reported and cleared within 30 minutes.
At 8:16am Wednesday, January 21, the FFD was summoned to Winter Village, 255 Mayer Road, for a fire alarm activation. Prior to arriving, it was learned the alarm was false.
FFD Chief Phil Kerns confirmed that a renovation crew had bumped a ceiling detector while installing carpet. A total of 10 fire personnel traveled to the station, clearing with 20 minutes.
Also on Wednesday, at 1:37pm, the FFD handled a one-vehicle crash in the 9200 block of Frankenmuth Road, near Richville Road. The SUV had slid off the road, struck a utility pole, and was smoking.
FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla said Engine 2 responded and reported no one was injured and the vehicle was not on fire. A communication box was struck, however, no damage was inflicted to the pole. A dozen firefighters reported and cleared before 2:15pm.
Alarm No. 9 for 2026 was a call for multiple commercial fire alarms at the Holiday Inn Express, 12150 Dixie Highway. This occurred at 6:21am Saturday, January 24. Birch Run Township Fire Department requested mutual aid from Bridgeport Township and Taymouth Township fire departments.
Birch Run was already responding to Meijer Store, the corner of Dixie Highway and Birch Run Road, for a water flow alarm, and for a possible laundry room fire at Holiday Inn Express.
Frankenmuth’s role was to standby, however, they were eventually disregarded as both calls were deemed minor issues. Fifteen fire personnel reported and cleared the scene and station within 25 minutes.
At 4:04pm Monday, January 26, the FFD answered the bell for a contained oven fire in the 600 block of Eastgate Drive.
FFD Lt. Eric MacKinnon said Engine 2 responded to the home and there was minimal smoke inside. The residents kept the oven door closed, called Saginaw County Central Dispatch 911, and evacuated the house.
Frankenmuth Fire ventilated the home and cleared within 30 minutes. The Frankenmuth Police were first on the scene and assisted. A total of 13 fire personnel reported.
The final run of the past week, No. 11 for 2026, occurred at 8:14am Tuesday, January 27. A CO detector activation brought the department to the 2000 block of South Dehmel Road. Engine 2 went to the scene, determined it was a faulty detector, which was fairly new, and with no readings found on the gas detector. Nine firefighters were part of this call for service and cleared within 30 minutes.
In other FFD news, the end of the month meeting, training, and meal took place Tuesday, January 27, at the station. Local residents Jim and Marie Koch obtained a $250 Gleaner Life Insurance grant to help offset the firefighters’ monthly meal cost.
The fire personnel continued to focus on their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment for training.
On Wednesday, January 21, the FFD hosted the Saginaw County Fire Chiefs Association monthly meeting at the Bavarian Inn Lodge’s Bavarian Blast.
𠇏rankenmuth hosts the meeting every other year and we like to showcase our community as part of the meeting,” Kerns said.
The Lodge staff provided a tour, a meeting room, accommodations, and refreshments.
While at this meeting, Laura walker, a registered nurse from Vassar, reviewed the Great Lakes Burn Camp, a non-profit organization, with the Saginaw-area fire chiefs.
This organization sponsors two camps each year that are attended by youths who have suffered burns and helps them with healing a coping. The victims attend camp for free and the staff is all volunteer.
For more information, visit www.glbcforkids.org.
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