Two fires Christmas Day

Two reports of fires early Christmas morning kept Blissfield and other fire crews busy and destroyed a Blissfield Township couple’s unattached garage and its contents.

Blissfield Township fire crews were first dispatched to Riverview Apartments on Joy Street at approximately 1:15 a.m. for a smoke investigation. Blissfield Fire Chief Gary Crist said it appeared someone had set a pizza box on a hot stovetop and then moved it into the hallway. Fire crews cleared the scene about 2 a.m.

They had not left the fire hall long when a passerby called 911 at 3:24 a.m. to report a fire east of Blissfield on Lamley Highway. Riga and Deerfield townships were also called to assist at the scene. Crist said they were able to leave the scene about 7 a.m. but were called back out for a rekindle at 8:15 a.m. and were there until approximately 10 a.m. The cause of the fire is unknown, although it is not suspicious, Crist said.

For the complete story, please see the 1-1-14 edition of The Advance.