FFD answers pair of mutual aid calls of service, a few false alarms
A pair of mutual aid calls and three false alarms were among the Frankenmuth Fire Department’s week of action.
At 9:43pm Thursday, September 17, Birch Run Fire Department requested mutual aid for a house fire in the 9000 block of South Reese Road, south of Birch Run Road. Clio, Montrose, and Taymouth fire departments were also summoned to assist.
FFD Lt. Eric Mackinnon said Engine 1 responded with five crew members and assisted with fire suppression of the one-and-a-half, single-family home, which was heavily damaged by the blaze. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and two firefighters from mutual aid departments were slightly injured in a ground ladder accident.
Mackinnon said Engine 1 hauled water to the incident and the FFD cleared the scene just short of four hours from the initial dispatch. A total of 16 FFD personnel responded to the call.
At 6pm Friday, September 18, Millington-Arbela Township Fire Department sought mutual aid for a call of wires down in the 9000 block of Barkley Road in Arbela Township. Millington-Arbela FD was battling a structure fire.
Brush 7 responded and was disregarded shortly after calling enroute, with 11 firefighters traveling to the station and clearing within 15 minutes.
Fire alarms 168, 169, 170 and 171 for the year 2026 brought responses from Frankenmuth, however, they were all false alarms.
They were:
At 10:36pm Friday, September 18, a carbon monoxide detector alarm was activated on the third floor of the Drury Inn, 260 South Main Street. The FFD crew found some CO readings, which resulted in shutting down the boiler for repair. No symptoms were generated. The seven firefighters who reported cleared the Inn within an hour.
At 8:53pm Saturday, September 19, steam from a shower triggered a residential alarm in the 7000 block of Ronrick Place, with the false alarm confirmed by the Engine 1 crew. Eleven fire personnel reported and cleared within 30 minutes.
On Monday, September 21 at 9:41am, steam from breakfast griddle area at the Drury Inn triggered a smoke detector.
FFD Chief Phil Kerns noted the Drury Inn recently completed an extensive remodel and renovation, and the fire alarm system and staff are working on making adjustments to the system’s operations. A total of 11 firefighters responded to the hall and headed home 20 minutes later.
Alarm No. 171 took place at 4:12pm Tuesday, September 22, at the Kroger Store, 435 North Main Street, for general fire alarm. Kroger has also been undergoing a major remodel and the alarm proved to be false. The FFD cleared the scene within 15 minutes.
In other FFD news, several fire personnel attended specialized training for electric vehicle extrication and fire suppression. The training was held at the Richville Fire Department.
The FFD assisted the Frankenmuth Police with Frankenmuth High School’s Homecoming Parade at 6pm Friday, September 18. They were also on standby at the game for medical-related coverage.
Kerns said Engine 2 was at their manufacturer’ vendor last week for a foam system alteration, which was covered by the new vehicle warranty.
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