fire

Fire breaks out at Marathon refinery in Detroit

Associated Press — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:24:56 +0000

A Marathon Petroleum spokesman says no one was hurt after a fire at a refinery in Detroit.

Shane Pochard tells The Associated Press the fire started Saturday evening in one of the smaller tanks at the Marathon Petroleum refinery. He says the fire has been put out and the cause is being investigated.

Pochard says no employees or contractors were injured. He says Marathon Petroleum has conducted extensive air monitoring in the neighborhood where the refinery is located and the area is safe.

Fire at apartments in Ypsilanti leaves 12 families homeless

The Associated Press — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 02:54:42 +0000

YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - A fire has heavily damaged a building at a Washtenaw County apartment complex, displacing 12 families.

The fire broke out Monday afternoon at the Schooner Cove apartment complex in Ypsilanti Township, east of Ann Arbor.

Township Fire Chief Eric Copeland tells AnnArbor.com that the fire started in a second- or third-floor apartment at the front of the building.

Copeland says the cause of the fire isn't yet known.

Grand Rapids Fire Department deploys new breed of fire trucks

Lindsey Smith — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 22:04:08 +0000

The so-called quick response vehicles are a cross between a four-wheel-drive SUV used to respond to medical emergencies, and fire engines with all the equipment to put out fires.

Grand Rapids’ Deputy Fire Chief Frank Verburg says the department will deploy three of the quick response vehicles for now. They have a 300-gallon water tank and a small fire suppression foam system.

Flint voters approve big property tax increase

Steve Carmody — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 05:40:26 +0000

Flint voters have approved a property tax hike to pay for public safety.

The six mill increase will add about $79 to the annual property tax bill for the average Flint home owner.

Flint mayor Dayne Walling says the vote shows the “absolute support” city residents have for the city’s police officers and firefighters.

“They want those services. They want to support those departments,” says Walling, “And now we’re going to deliver on that commitment.”

Election: Flint voters to decide big property tax increase

Steve Carmody — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 05:01:01 +0000

Flint voters face a tough choice on Election Day.

Agree to a big property tax increase…or face even more cuts to the city’s overburdened police and fire departments.

On November Sixth, Flint voters will decide if they are willing to pay an additional 6 mills on their property taxes or about 79 dollars extra a year for the average home owner.

Supporters say about five million dollars would be raised for police and fire protection.