Van Buren County fire kills 21 mastiff dogs. How the fire started

Two grownup canines and a litter of 19-day-old mastiff puppies had been killed in a fireplace in Van Buren County early Sunday morning, Oct. 26, a Bangor Hearth Division official mentioned Monday afternoon.

Whereas 21 canines died within the fireplace, two canines escaped, Bangor Hearth Chief Derek Babcock mentioned. The hearth is believed to have been attributable to a warmth lamp that ignited close by straw, Babcock mentioned.

“We need to emphasize the significance of utilizing warmth lamps. If you’ll use these to heat animals, be sure they’re correctly secured, secured to the ceiling or screwed and anchored to the wall,” Babcock mentioned.

Firefighters had been dispatched to a house within the 50200 block of M-43 in Arlington Township, east of Bangor, after an individual driving by reported a fireplace. The 12 by 12 meter shed that was used as a canine kennel at a home was fully engulfed in flames when the hearth brigade arrived round 4.50 am.

Along with firefighters from the Bangor Group Hearth Division, personnel from the Columbia Township Hearth Division and South Haven Space Emergency Companies additionally responded to the scene.

Hearth Security Ideas for Michigan Residents

Michiganders are inspired to observe these tricks to shield themselves from fires:

• Maintain a 100cm clearance round an area heater to keep away from objects that might burn, together with folks.
• Guarantee there’s a working smoke detector on each ground and each sleeping space.
• By no means sleep along with your heater on; solely use them if you end up awake.
• Unplug house heaters while you go away the room.
• By no means smoke in mattress; Maintain lighters and cigarettes out of the attain of kids.
• In the event you smoke, put your cigarette or cigar out fully every time.