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Frankenmuth News

Serving Frankenmuth since 1906

Volume 120 No. 21

November 26, 2025

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  WILD WEEKEND FOR THE FFD: For the first time in decades, the City of Frankenmuth endured two major structure fires in one weekend, Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23. Top left, a pair of hoselines pour water on the Frankenmuth Professional Building, 140 West Tuscola Street. At the right,  FFD personnel conduct overhaul and search for hot spots at the house fire at 382 Craemer Drive. 

FFD battles two major structure fires over the weekend

  There was little rest or relaxation for the Frankenmuth Fire Department last weekend, as the city endured a pair of major structure fires.

  “This weekend was taxing for our firefighters, and they had little time for leisure activities,” FFD Chief Phil Kerns said.

  The community as well as city officials praised the department for the responses and professionalism in knocking down these fires, as well as saving next-door exposures from further damage.

  “The Frankenmuth Fire Department continues to operate with exemplary dedication to the safety and well being of our community and our residents,” Frankenmuth Mayor Tom Meyer said. “I encourage all residents to express their appreciation for our dedicated fire and police officers. And, to our neighboring fire departments who provide additional support. As always, if you see something suspicious, please contact 911.”

  The first of the two major alarms took place at 3:17pm Saturday, November 22, as FFD personnel spent three hours extinguishing an attached garage fire at 382 Craemer Drive, located between Mary Lane and Harlan drive in the west side of the city.

  The alarm was called to Saginaw County Central Dispatch, and the FFD made great time to arrive at the scene.

  Frankenmuth Police Chief Don Mawer, who lives nearby, said he was in his garage when he heard sirens closing in.

  “I was going to let the dog out, and I thought the sirens were not that close. Then I looked out of my backyard, saw the fire trucks, and the garage filled with smoke,” Mawer said.

  FFD Captain Brandon Schmitzer advised the ranch-style home suffered significant damage from the blaze.

  𠇏ortunately, only a minor burn was reported by a family member and their two pet cats were found unharmed by firefighters,” Kerns said.

  The tentative cause of the fire stems from the homeowner who was repairing a snowmobile in the garage at the time the fire broke out. That work may have caused the fire when a flammable liquid (likely gasoline) leaked and the liquid came into contact with an adjacent space heater, Kerns noted.

  In addition to the snowmobile, a Jeep was also consumed by this very hot, intense fire.

  Schmitzer further stated upon arrival, the attached garage was completely involved, and had extended into the dwelling. A two-bay enclosed snowmobile trailer was parked in the driveway, and it succumbed to the flames.

  “We were just behind the eight ball when we arrived. We were sent a photo of the dwelling just before we arrived and it was a fireball,” Kerns stated.

  Engine 1, Engine 2, Squad 4, and a dozen firefighters extinguished the flames and overhauled hot spots throughout the structure. Approximately 50,000 gallons of water was used, plus Class A foam to help suffocate the flames.

  “Responding fire trucks were slightly hampered by traffic from curious onlookers. Firefighters were assisted by the Frankenmuth Police, who greatly assisted with the initial attack and MMR Ambulance Service stood by,” Kerns said.

  There was no rekindle at the home over night. A home directly west of 382 Craemer siding that melted, however, it remains habitable.

  Alarm No. 202 was the second major structure fire in back-to-back days, this time in the middle of the city and a commercial building.

  At 6:48pm Sunday, November 23, Saginaw County Central Dispatch received a call from a passerby advising a smoke detector was sounding and smoke was visible coming from the roof of a commercial office building located at 140 West Tuscola Street.

  Known as the Frankenmuth Professional Building, there were four businesses located at that address: Law Firm of Smith Bovill, PC; Flourish Couples & Family Therapy, LLC; Integrity Financial Planning, LLC, and; Harmony Sound Lounge, A Meditative Experience.

  Frankenmuth Police and Fire responded immediately and confirmed light smoke was coming from the roof of the 1-1/2-story brick façade office building. The visible smoke was coming from an attic, closest to the porch facing West Tuscola Street. .....

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