Chelsea Area Fire Authority firefighters were called to a fire that had fully engulfed a home in the 400 block of Elm Street on Jan. 4 at 11:11 p.m.
A husband, wife, child and two dogs got out safely although the husband was taken to University of Michigan hospitals for smoke exposure said Chelsea Fire Chief Robert Arbini.
“The structure was fully engulfed,” when firefighters arrived and is under investigation. “The cause is unknown but it appears to have started in the garage,”Arbini said.
The structure was a total loss and the estimated amount of damage was about $260,000, Arbini said.
In addition to firefighters from Chelsea, the Dexter Area Fire Department and the Scio Township Fire Department sent tankers to the scene. In total, there were about 14 firefighters on the scene, Arbini said, adding that Manchester assisted by covering the Chelsea fire station.
Firefighters left the scene about 2:40 a.m. Friday and were back on the scene later in the day.
“We were able to recover special family photos and personal belongings that meant a lot to the family,” Arbini said.
The Red Cross was also on the scene, he said, and the family is staying locally with other family members.
A fundraising page has been set up to assist the family who lost everything. If you’d like to help, please click here.
