By Gari Voss
The City of Allegan’s Fire Department responded to numerous calls beginning Monday, April 10, 2023. The most heartbreaking took the life of a local resident.
Fire broke out on the second story of the home at 252 Russell Street in Allegan. Joel McDaniel (56) resided in the bedroom on the 2nd floor, and was unable to escape the smoke and flames.
Allegan’s Fire Chief Nick Brink and the fire crew responded before 6am on Thursday, April 13, 2023. When they arrived, the 2nd story of the home was engulfed in flames and smoke.
McDaniel’s stepdaughter who lived with his mom on the lower level shared that she was awakened by the fire alarm then McDaniel yelled to bring him a fire extinguisher. The stepdaughter was able to ascend the stairs because of smoke so she delivered the extinguisher to McDaniel by handing it over the railing before assisting the mother from the building.
From what Chief Brink could determine, McDaniel was attempting to escape through an upstairs window when he was probably overcome by smoke inhalation.
“He tried to extinguish the fire. When he realized he couldn’t, he tried to escape through a window but didn’t make it,” Brink explained. “People do not realize that the smoke is the most dangerous. It is best to just get out.”
The investigative report from the Michigan State Police was that the fire was started because of careless smoking.
“There were numerous cigarette butts in the ashtrays. When full ask trays catch on fire, they are disastrous,” stated Chief Brink.
In addition to the fire on Russell Street, on Monday, April 10th, another house fire on River Street started because of an overflowing ashtray and smoking. “The man was even smoking outside on the porch, but the ashtray smoldered and started on fire, the flames blew to trash bags sitting nearby, then the house caught fire,” related Chief Brink. “Luckily, no one was injured.”
What the MSP term “careless smoking” is often 100% preventable. Even when it does not involve the loss of life, these fires are hard on everyone involved.
“Fires affect the people who live in the home and the area plus the fire fighters. When a death occurs, it adds additional heartbreak,” interjected Brink. “It is important for people to take precautions by disposing of the contents of ashtrays and other burnable materials properly.”
The house fires kept the Allegan Fire Teams busy, but they had additional work when on Wednesday, April 12th, a brush fire broke out on Bridge Road behind Pine Trails Elementary. The lady burning a pile of leaves and litter did not have the adequate extinguishing equipment. When the wind gusted, flames were carried to nearby ground litter and towards the neighboring home. The fire department was called and able to extinguish the fire before it damaged any structures.
The brush fire in Allegan along with the wildfire on 56th Street and 113th Avenue occurred on DNR Red Flag Days when the weather and brush conditions were in alignment. Even with the knowledge of Red Flag Days, Chief Brink cautions, “Anyone who starts a fire must stay with it. It is important to have extinguishing equipment available because flames can take off in the blink of an eye.”
The week of April 10, 2023 brought more than enough action to the Allegan City Fire Department. As spring marches into summer, the fire teams hope everyone will take the proper precautions when lighting a fire, even if it is just in the backyard fire pit.