(BATAVIA TOWNSHIP) – A 59 year old woman died in a Friday morning house fire in Batavia Township.
Bronson Fire Chief Steve Wilber says his department was notified by Branch County Central Dispatch Friday at 4:49 AM about a structure fire at 455 West Chicago Road
Wilber says when his department arrived there was heavy fire showing on two sides of a two story house. In addition, two vehicles in the driveway and a detached garage were also on fire.
The Coldwater Fire Department provided mutual aid, along with the Union City, Colon, Burr Oak, Lakeland and Sherwood Fire Departments.
Wilber says one occupant was able to get out of the house by jumping out of a first floor window. A second occupant was unaccounted for when firefighters arrived.
Fire crews had trouble battling the blaze and getting into the house due to the heat of the fire and large amounts of items inside the dwelling. When they did enter the house, firefighters found a 59 year old woman who was dead.
There were no working smoke alarms in the dwelling.
Fire crews were on scene for 5.5 hours before the blaze was put out. Over 150,000 gallons of water were used to put the fire out. The home and contents are a total loss.
U.S. 12 was shut down by the Branch County Road Commission and traffic re-routed while crews battled the blaze. Also assisting at the scene were Life Care Ambulance and the Branch County Sheriff’s Office.
Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit is helping to discover the cause and origin of the fire.