Read more: Local, Community, Fire, Kalkaska County, Red Cross
KALKASKA COUNTY -- A Kalkaska County family is without a home for the holidays after a fire destroys their house. It happened early Tuesday morning on Hall Road in Boardman Township.
20-year old Sage Myers was inside when the fire broke out. "I woke up and I heard snapping and crackling and then next thing you know my mom is yelling fire! Fire! Everybody get out."
His mother, Sally Pringle says “I just started yelling and telling everybody get the dogs, get the cats, get the kids out!"
Just after 8:00 AM, Pringle called 911. She claims extra wood put inside the stove to keep her family of 8 warm started the fire. Authorities are still investigating.
Pringle says "I heard snapping and crackling and the outside of the house was melting."
Boardman Township Fire Department Assistant Chief, Scott Tinker says “When we first got to the scene the North end of the house, the roof was fully involved. Then we had to make an internal attack to get it knocked down."
Asst. Chief Tinker says the issue the fire department faced today was manpower. 6 different stations were called to the scene to fight the fire.
“During this time of day it’s very difficult to get volunteer fire fighters to the location. We dispatched 4 crews from Grande Traverse County and 2 crews from Kalkaska County. Each station rings 3 to 4 people. We start our tactic from there, try to rotate them in and out so they’re not getting worn out.
It took over 3 hours to get the blaze under control. All the family could do was stand in the cold and watch the smoke rise from their home – belongings destroyed. Still, they’re thankful to be alive.
Pringle says "Everything else can be replaced. Its going to be hard. There are a lot of things you lose but that's all trivial."
Myers says “Make it through the holiday season with a smile event though our house is gone."
Assistant Chief Tinker says "I don't wish this upon anybody. It's hard for them and its hard for us as firefighters to come to a house close to the holiday season right after Thanksgiving and right before Christmas."
The Red Cross has been called to help the family get back on their feet.
