Lawrence Township Emergency Services Fire Department, with assistance from Hartford Fire Department, Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department, and Bangor Fire Department, battled a blaze early last Saturday morning Jan. 15, at 46724 Red Arrow Highway, Lawrence Township. Lawrence Township Emergency Services Fire Chief Mike Anchor said Lawrence responded to the initial call for a structure fire at 2:03 a.m. Arriving at the scene, fire fighters found the pole barn structure’s northwest corner fully involved in fire and smoke. Anchor said the building was occupied by one individual, who said he went to stoke an indoor woodstove earlier in the evening and went to bed. The fire is believed to have started in the chimney. The occupant was awakened by a smoke alarm. The fire was extinguished approximately two hours later. Lawrence fire fighters returned to the scene a second time for a report of an electrical fire that started nearby the initial fire. Fire fighters returned a third and final time for a rekindle that was reported approximately 40 feet from the first fire. Anchor said the building is currently undergoing a remodel for a marijuana grow facility. No injuries were reported. Damage to the building is estimated at $100,000, according to Anchor, and $50,000 to the building’s contents.
Photo courtesy of Lawrence Township Emergency Services
