Fire destroys three-stall garage in Ann Arbor community
Firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to nearby residential units or other garage spaces.
Kody Klein | AnnArbor.com
Not much remained of the three-stall garage that caught fire Friday afternoon at Earhart Village, 835 Greenhills Drive in Ann Arbor.
"It was burning through the roof," said Kevin Cook, battalion chief for Ann Arbor Fire Department.
Cook said six trucks were called to the scene at 2:28 p.m. Upon arrival, firefighters successfully contained the fire, keeping it from spreading to nearby residential units or other garage spaces.
"We got it contained pretty fast," he said.
No one was injured and there were no vehicles in the garage when it caught fire. Among the remains that laid between charred rafters were bicycles and patio furniture.
Cook said it was too soon to say what caused the fire or what the cost of damages will be.
Representatives for Marcus Management, who manage the property, were unable to be reached for comment.
Kody Klein is an intern for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at kklein@mlive.com
Comments
David Cahill
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 10:34 p.m.
I appreciate AnnArbor.com's coverage of fires. It recently led me to go out and buy two new photoelectric-only smoke detectors (which don't generate false alarms) and a new fire extinguisher. Our old one was over a quarter of a century old, beyond its use-by date.
David Cahill
Sun, Feb 17, 2013 : 1:57 p.m.
The photoelectric-only detectors react to smoke, which is the major killer in fires. They do not react to cooking. The older ionic detectors are "cooking detectors" and are routinely disconnected.
jns131
Sun, Feb 17, 2013 : 1:12 p.m.
Out with the old in with the new. I hate to say it, even with these new fancy detectors? It won't stop a flash fire that took out a friends home last year. State of the art or not, just get out and realize you get a new house after your deductible.
StopThink
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 3:24 p.m.
I have to imagine that the residents of the surrounding condos are very grateful that the firefighters were able to contain the fire to only the garages. I know I would be... Great job!!
microtini
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 3:02 p.m.
I'm not sure people realize how much skill goes into containing a fire like this. I love firefighters this much! (See photo at left.)
TinyArtist
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 2:02 p.m.
"Among the remains that laid between charred rafters . . . " Good grief! Watch your phraseology.
anti-thug
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 1:53 a.m.
what with all the big fires lately?
liekkio
Mon, Feb 18, 2013 : 2:08 p.m.
jns131, Earhart village is not an apartment complex, and it is not owned by a company.
jns131
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 9:08 p.m.
I have noticed that one as well. Plus they are all apartment complexes or owned by companies, like Mckinley who have apartments who have caught fire. Interesting to think arson?
talker
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 1:30 a.m.
Ann Arbor firefighters did another great job. Six trucks were needed to put out the fire and protect nearby residences and residents. Since it's possible to have more than one emergency at a time and since we also have agreements with other communities for Ann Arbor firefighters to help, I see this as another example of why we need to hire more firefighters and have more fire trucks in more fire stations. We'd have the money to afford more protection if we'd avoid paying for studies for projects most Ann Arborites don't want and don't need.
Pete
Sat, Feb 16, 2013 : 8:15 p.m.
Ann Arbor, like most other local communities, can call on neighboring fire departments to assist with very large fires and with multiple fires. The fact that the AA Fire Department was able to deploy sufficient resources on its own suggests that they have adequate personnel and equipment. You simply cannot have enough resources to handle every situation. I certainly can't afford to pay for several trucks and attendant crews to stand by my home 24 /7 (it would take at least 4 or 5 full crews to cover 24/7) on the off chance that my home might catch fire. All my neighbors would need their own trucks and crews, since I cannot risk having my home catch fire at the same time as one of my neighbors... Obviously ridiculous!!! You make a best estimate of what is needed and what you can afford, and go from there. That is what we have, and we should be glad that the firefighters we have (in all our local communities) are skilled and dedicated. I certainly am.