News

Fire destroys one home, damages three in Durand

By The Argus-Press

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 10:05 AM EST

FIREFIGHTERS pour water on the remnants of a Durand home at 208 W. McBride St. early this morning. The blaze consumed the residence and damaged homes on either side. Firefighters from at least five area departments were called to assist with manpower and water. Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak

DURAND - One home in Durand was destroyed after it caught fire about 2 a.m. this morning.

“The house was fully engulfed when we arrived,” Durand Fire Department Chief Richard Rinker said today.

Rinker said, as of now, the cause and origin are unknown, but fire officials are waiting for the State Fire Marshal to arrive.

The home was owned by Flint resident Jeremy Shaw, who was not in the building at the time of the fire.

Firefighters worked through the night and were still at the scene at 8 a.m. this morning. All that was left of the home was its fireplace. Also, a trailer that was in the driveway was destroyed.

“It was fully engulfed and there were bullets flying all over the place,” Rinker added, noting ammunition in the house was ignited by the fire.

In addition, three homes neighboring the house, located at 208 W. McBride St., saw damage to their exteriors. Of the three, only one was occupied, but the resident was safely evacuated after the fire began.

Rinker commended all the firefighters involved, saying it was their quick action that was able to keep the neighboring homes from receiving any substantial damage.

Also responding to the scene was the fire departments from Vernon Township, Perry, Burns Township, Corunna-Caledonia, Shiawassee Township and Venice Township. Owosso Township was paged, but that call was canceled about 5 a.m.

Comment on this Story

Chris Strachan wrote on Nov 10, 2009 12:59 PM:

" Props to Durand's finest...206 McBride was the childhood home of my father and, although it's been out of the family for almost 20 years, I have great memories of family gatherings held there. It would have been devastating to not be able to see it again!! "

Nick wrote on Nov 5, 2009 4:24 PM:

" This is GREAT news for the local economy. thats at least $400,000.00 in work to be done. Thanks fire, hope the people have a warm place for the winter, or.... they could just start another fire. "

Chrystal wrote on Nov 4, 2009 12:28 PM:

" He is a Flint resident because he moved out of that house for one his family liked better and was keeping up on it and using it for storage in hopes the real estate market would get better and he wouldn't lose money by selling it. The firefighters did a wonderful job. This house is just around the corner from my mom and my sister was friends with Mr. Shaw's daughter. From the neighborhood is right, if not for the firefighters the whole block could have burned. "

tim wrote on Nov 4, 2009 11:19 AM:

" looks like another insurance job. like all the rest of them in owosso. "

Jaime M wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:14 AM:

" He is probably a Flint resident whom rents the house?? Maybe?

Hopefully not an arson case! Seems to be a trend in our community the last few years!

At least everyone was ok and the depatments responded quickly to make that happen! "

Concerned wrote on Nov 3, 2009 5:20 PM:

" Flint Resident??? Not a Durand Resident???

Hope they find out the Cause. "

From the neighborhood wrote on Nov 3, 2009 2:55 PM:

" I would like to personally thank all the firefighters that responded that night. For doing what they are trained to, and keeping a bad situation under the best control as possible. Things could have been much worse. In a very isolated section of town with homes very close together. This fire could have left many families without home. They responded quickly, took control. Thank You... "