Firefighters battle overnight house fire near downtown Ann Arbor

Posted on Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 5:59 a.m.

Firefighters battle overnight house fire near downtown Ann Arbor

By Paula Gardner

The aftermath of the house fire at 600 Fourth Avenue in Ann Arbor Thursday night.

Bob Needham | AnnArbor.com

Flames and smoke were showing at the front of a home near downtown Ann Arbor early Tuesday when fire fighters arrived just after midnight.

This photo shows AAFD crews arriving at the house on North Fourth Avenue. Fire crews were stretching/putting in place 2 hose lines to the rear of the house and preparing to enter home to extinguish fire.

From the Ann Arbor Fire Department

Three hours later, Ann Arbor Fire Department officials said crews remained in the 600 block of North Fourth Avenue between Beakes and Depot, assessing damage and watching for "hot spots" to flare up.

The fire caused severe damage to the 1-story residence, according to a news release. Flames reached the attic, and smoke damage was extensive.

The resident was home at the time of the fire, and was assisted out of the home by Ann Arbor police. Officers also evacuated the home next door.

No one was injured in the fire. Firefighters found the homeowner's cat hiding under living room furniture and it "appeared to be doing fine," according to AAFD.

Huron Valley Ambulance also assisted at the scene.

The cause was not immediately available.

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Comments

CynicA2

Wed, May 1, 2013 : 7:25 p.m.

A crumby old shack does not a historic home make... hot and generally lacking in A/C or insulation for the summer months. Cold, drafty, and either freezing or stifling, come winter. And certifiable money pits, regardless of the season. You can have them.

David Cahill

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 6:09 p.m.

I think AnnArbor.com is giving us better reporting on fires than the old AA News did. Thanks!

djm12652

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.

I baked cookies last night but had to check the oven because I could smell smoke. Then I saw the AAPD car and all the trucks respond...big plume of smoke, as high as my apartment on the 10th floor, for quite a while. Glad everyone is okay.

CynicA2

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 4:08 p.m.

The older these old houses get, the more the ravages of time and age make them vulnerable to fires - and A2 has no shortage of OLD houses, many of which are ready for the wrecking , errrr... recycling ball!

John Q

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 7:04 p.m.

Nonsense.

Ann English

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 3:55 p.m.

Either the police are collaborating more with firefighters than last year, or their collaborating is being reported more than in the past. A 911 call brings out both if necessary.

Major

Tue, Apr 30, 2013 : 2:05 p.m.

What's with all the house fires lately? I'm wondering what the average annual AA house fire stats are too.