QUINCY, MI (WTVB) – One person was killed Tuesday morning when a fire broke out in a two story apartment building just west of downtown Quincy.
The Michigan State Police have confirmed the fatality in the fire at 58 West Chicago which was reported at about 3:20 a.m.. It was called under control at 4:57 a.m..
Quincy firefighters were initially dispatched. They got mutual aid from Coldwater, Lakeland, Bronson and Allen firefighters. Fremont, Indiana fire crews stood by at the Lakeland station.
First reports from the scene indicated there were some people trapped on the second floor and that one person managed to escape to the roof of the structure.
As fire and rescue units were being dispatched, there were reports of injuries involving “several patients”. Ambulance crews from as far away as Marshall and Hillsdale had to be called in to help deal with the number of injuries.
The Branch County Sheriff’s Department reports four patients were taken to ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. A ProMedica nursing supervisor did not have information if any of them were admitted or transferred.
The fire also took the lives of two dogs in an upstairs apartment.
Michigan State Police, the Red Cross and the Branch County Sheriff’s Department Victim Services Unit were also called in.
U.S. 12 was shut down at the fire scene for about four hours.
The cause of the fire in the nearly 80 year old building which contains nine units is being investigated by the Fire Marshal division of the Michigan State Police and by Coldwater Fire Marshal Steve Trall.
The Union Diner at the Union Church of Quincy will hosting a free dinner for the fire victims, their families and the first responders on Tuesday night starting at 6:30 p.m..
