Fire/Rescue

Quick response by the Fabius-Park Township and Three Rivers fire departments limited the extent of fire-related damage at a residence in Fabius Township early Wednesday. The departments were summoned to the 56000 block of Seven Hills Road around 2 a.m. to a report of a blaze started in the mantel of a fireplace. The mantel was cut into sections by …

Two people were severely burned Wednesday morning in a fire at a home near Kalamazoo. The Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Office says crews responded to the house in Schoolcraft shortly after 2 a.m. The house was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, but they went in, pulling the two severely burned residents out. The victims were rushed to Bronson Hospital where doctors are treating them for burns …

A drunken driver, whose blood-alcohol content was 0.36 percent, was arrested following a Friday night accident in Sturgis. Police and fire personnel were called at 6:40 p.m. to the scene of a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Centerville Road and Wenzel Street. Details about the incident and how it occurred were not available in a department media release. The …

A longtime member of the Sturgis Fire Department has accepted the post of St. Joseph County Emergency Services coordinator. Scott Hopkins, assistant chief for the Sturgis department, will replace Jim Barnes, who is retiring from the Centreville-based post next month. Hopkins will hire on in two weeks and work with Barnes during the impending transition period. As coordinator of emergency …

Four county firefighters from three different agencies were recognized during a ceremony in Colon last week. The St. Joseph County Fireman’s Association honored Burr Oak firefighter Charles Ankney and Centreville firefighter Roger Rumsey and their 51 years of service. Recognized for 54 years of firefighter service for the Mendon Fire Department were Sharon “Bookie” Buchner and Loyd Hart. State Rep. …

Branch County authorities late Thursday afternoon located a 10-year-old Coldwater-area boy who had been reported missing since earlier in the day. Limited details were available about the discovery of Chance Miller, who authorities described as having diminished capacity. Officials did note, however, that he is safe. He was reported missing after leaving his bus stop at 7:30 a.m. near Miller …

The Constantine Fire Department has received a grant in excess of $84,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s “Assistance to Firefighters” program. The grant is for operations and safety improvements, and is to be designated for items such as professional training, fitness- and wellness-program equipment, personal protective gear, and facilities improvements and supplies. Constantine Fire Chief Mike Hayden said the …

The Oasis Restaurant, south of Three Rivers on U.S. 131, caught fire over the weekend. Information about the incident remains limited as of Monday afternoon, but Three Rivers Fire Chief Dan Tomlinson said area of origin was the kitchen and the incident involved a kitchen hood system. The incident was reported by a passer-by around 10:20 p.m. Friday. Three Rivers …

State Rep. Matt Lori this week invited Constantine Fire Department Chief Mike Hayden to be his guest to a special program Tuesday at the Capitol. Lori and other House lawmakers Tuesday honored first responders on the 11th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. The ceremony also honored members of the military who gave their lives in the line of duty …

The Centreville Fire Department marked the promotion of two of its officers Monday with a pinning ceremony. According to a department news release, Lt. Bryan Balk was promoted to assistant chief. Meanwhile, Larry Schlabach was promoted to lieutenant. The positions became open after the retirement of longtime assistant chief, Jody McClain. During Monday’s ceremony, members of the Centreville department were …