Home destroyed and 2 dogs found dead after house fire
A fire destroyed a house near Baker and I-94 on Saturday night, fire officials said Sunday morning.
The three residents of the home weren't there when neighbors reported the fire in the 7000 block of Marshall Road at about 6:30 p.m., said Chief Carl Ferch of the Scio Township Fire Department.
However, two dogs died in the blaze.
The cause of the fire is undetermined, Ferch said, but he's returning to the scene today to take another look at it in the daylight.
The initial investigation indicates that it started in the kitchen.
The residents were renting the home, Ferch said, and they didn't have insurance. The loss of their possessions and pets left them very upset when the returned to the home and found firefighters from Scio, the Dexter Area Fire Department and the Chelsea Area Fire Department on the scene.
"They were pretty distraught when I talked to them," Ferch said. "... The loss is devastating."
The home - just east of Baker Road, north of I-94 - was a small, masonry sided building. That made it easy for firefighters to knock the fire down quickly, Ferch said, but the heat was trapped inside of the structure, compounding the effects of the fire.
Firefighters were on the scene for about three hours.
The American Red Cross assisted the residents with clothing. Four Red Cross volunteers from the Washtenaw County chapter responded to the scene.
Comments
TryingToBeObjective
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 5:36 p.m.
So sorry for the loss of your dogs. You cannot replace them, but please consider saving another dog life in their memory from the humane society, which is bursting at the seams with animals currently, or from a rescue. You can lose everything you own, but only regret losing family, which includes our beloved pets. Anything else is just "stuff."
a2scio
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
Thank you Red Cross!
Animal Lover
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.
Their dogs can never be replaced. There will be other dogs and pets that you love, but these dogs will never be replaced. I am so sorry about your loss. As for renters insurance, if you're young and broke, $500 might as well be $5,000.
Elaine F. Owsley
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
Some Homeowners Insurance policies allow for a rider that covers college students in the family with renters' insurance. Good idea to check your policy and see if it includes your college kids. If it's available, pick it up, it's the cheapest protection around.
Elaine F. Owsley
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
When I managed insurance for Domino's Pizza Corporate, I constantly urged our young employees to get Renters Insurance. No matter how little you have, when it's gone, it's gone and your landlord is not responsible for your loss.
MaryT
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 1:12 p.m.
What the article doesn't say is that the three residents were in the age range of 19-20 years old. Renter's insurance isn't something young people in that age range usually think of, or even know exists. I agree, that would have been nice for them to have, but it still doesn't help for the loss of their pets. And THAT is the part that hurts these three the most.
TryingToBeObjective
Fri, Jun 28, 2013 : 5:40 p.m.
Ruralgirl44, please ask the people who lost their dogs to consider fostering if they are able, when they are ready. It saves a life, and may bring them some comfort as well. So sorry for their loss. I would be a wreck if anything happened to my four- legged kids.
jns131
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 2 a.m.
It is never too late to bring another baby into the fold. Dogs help ease the pain. I know, we had a transition and well.....it has been five years and we ended up with another rescue 2 years later. I am ready for another.....in a few years.
ruralgirl44
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
too soon for puppies. they are destroyed over this loss.
jns131
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
I know someone with puppies. I wonder..........
justcurious
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 1:49 p.m.
Absolutely.
justcurious
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
This was west of Baker on Marshall Rd. Our friend could see it as he came north on Baker toward Dexter. Also, we were passed by a volunteer fireman as we were heading north on Parker at about 6:55pm. He turned east onto Baker to get to the fire, although it must have been going pretty good by then. We are so sorry to hear about the loss of their possessions and dogs. This is very sad. It must have been burning for a while before being reported.
Wooper
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 6:58 p.m.
It is likely the 7500 block of Marshall, between Baker and Parker.
jcj
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 6:34 p.m.
Baker and Parker do not cross. You could not have seen anyone turn onto Baker from Parker. The map must be wrong. It shows the house East of Baker.
Wooper
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
I think it was just WEST of Baker, not East.
arborani
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 4:07 p.m.
Few years back, a relative lost everything in an apartment complex fire. Had renters insurance. Smartest thing ever.
Mr. Ed
Sun, Feb 19, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
Renters insurance is less than 500 bucks per year.
OLDTIMER3
Tue, Feb 21, 2012 : 12:33 a.m.
If they couldn't afford they couldn't afford it. Sorry for the loss of the dogs.
jns131
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.
You can replace what you lost. But you can't replace the loss of two pets who you consider your children. They may adopt again not replace again. I wish people would understand the difference. Good luck on your loss and future adoptions.
RuralMom
Mon, Feb 20, 2012 : 1:26 p.m.
These are young adults who did NOT have renters insurance. No worries the community has rallied around them. The biggest loss was the 2 dogs whom were wonderful! Very sad day, even sadder that you made such a comment!