Investigation continues for blaze at West Tuscola Street businesses
Following a weekend of major structure fires, the Frankenmuth Fire Department answered four calls for service last week, upping the 2025 total to 206 alarms.
FFD Chief Phil Kerns said the department continues to investigate the 140 West Tuscola Street fire that took place Sunday evening, November 23, at the Frankenmuth Professional Building.
The blaze remains under investigation due to the unknown cause of the fire.
𠇏ire investigations take time and that investigator will thoroughly review the matter in attempt to determine the cause. It is still thought that the fire occurred in a concealed attic space near the front of the building, but that must be confirmed,” Kern said.
Last week’s alarms began 1:08pm Wednesday, November 26, when a large tree branch broke off and fell to the ground in the 400 block of Sunburst Drive.
Engine 2 responded to find that some lower branches broke off and were left hanging, making contact with overhead electrical wires. FFD Captain Brandon Schmitzer said Consumers Energy was contacted to trim the remaining hanging branches and Frankenmuth DPW was able to take away the large fallen branch.
Frankenmuth Police assisted and the units cleared around 1:30pm, with eight firefighters reporting for duty.
At 6:10pm Saturday evening, the FFD was requested to assist the Birch Run Fire Department with smoke inside a residential structure in the 9000 block of Maple Road, Birch Run Township. This was caused by downed wires.
FFD Assistant Chief Dan Schneirla said Engine 1 assisted Birch Run and fortunately, no fire was found in the dwelling. Engine 1 cleared the scene 30 minutes thereafter as Birch Run received two additional calls while on this scene.
�use one of Birch Run’s calls was on I-75, they asked us to assist with a medical call elsewhere in their township. Engine 1 cleared and Squad 4 responded from the station to the second BRFD call. Which led them to . . .
A medical call at 6:44pm at Beamers Bar & Grill, 11850 Birch Run Road, Kern said 16 firefighters reported to assist a 62-year-old sick person. MMR Ambulance Service also responded the FFD cleared at 7pm
At 12:19pm Sunday, November 30, a leaking gas pressure relief valve at a farm in the 9600 block of Junction Road was freely flowing natural gas.
FFD Captain Doug VanWormer advised Engine 2 responded and that the gas was not inside any buildings. Consumers traveled to the scene within 45 minutes and was able to handle the incident. It should be noted this case was not related to the ongoing natural gas main replacement project. Fourteen fire personnel reported and cleared when the Consumers crew arrived on the scene.
In other FFD news, firefighters met Tuesday, November 23, for their end-of-the-month meeting and training. They spent time reviewing equipment readiness and their responses to the recent two major structure fires.
Over the past several weeks, local public safety officials have responded to four medical incidents involving the need to force open dwelling doors on residential structures due to medical calls of an unresponsive person or persons unable to answer the door because of an injury.
The keyholders were not immediately available to respond and allow officials to make entry to potential life-threatening issues.
𠇊lthough first responders attempt to make entry by selecting certain doors or windows to minimize damage, many times the damage can cost $500 or more to repair,” Kerns said.
Kerns noted by Frankenmuth Fire and Police departments offer the Knox Box system, a locked box that safely stores a key, and only allows such access by fire and police officials. For more information or to order the Knox Box, contact the city office (989-652-9901).
The secure boxes for residential uses are approximately $400 each, not including installation, but can provide an added safeguard to a resident by securing a means to immediately access a structure. Knox Boxes are also available for commercial application. The system has Underwriter Laboratory (UL) approval and is independently tested.
The FFD continues its steps to building a new fire station on the west end of the city, on West Genesee Street, just east of Dehmel Road.
Members of the FFD Building Committee are reviewing requests for proposals from qualified architectural firms to design a new station. The committee, in consultation with the Frankenmuth City-Township Commission, hopes to have design details by mid-spring 2026 to firm up costs in order for Frankenmuth City Council and Frankenmuth Township Board of Trustees to decide on the best plan to fund the new facility and replace the nearly 75-year-old outdated station in the future.
-----------------------------------------
To read this story and other featured articles in this week's Frankenmuth News, click on the "Subscribe" tab at the left or call (989-652-3246) to begin receiving your weekly copy of the Frankenmuth News.
