12/27/10 - Mason building fire, 384 S. Every Rd

Just before 3:40 PM on Monday, December 27, 2010, the Mason Fire Deparment was dispatched for a possible structure fire at Launstein Lumber, 384 S. Every Rd in Vevay Township. While responding to the scene, command requested mutual aid from the Dansville Fire Department for a tanker and manpower. When the fire chief arrived, he confirmed a working structure fire with a large 1 story pole barn type structure heavily charged with light colored smoke and some flames showing from the eave line above a sliding garage door on the "A" side. Additional mutual aid was requested from the Leslie & Delhi Township fire departments for tankers & manpower. Mason Engine 809 and Tanker 811 arrived shortly after the chief and lines were quickly charged as access was gained into the sliding door. From the inside it was discovered that a ceiling was in place which was going to make getting to the fire difficult. For safety reasons, command advised no one would be entering the structure, firefighters began trying to find a way to get to the flames from the exterior. Approximately 10 minutes after firefighters arrived, the truss roof construction failed and the structure collapsed without warning in the area firefighters would have been working in had they gone inside (photo #34). Within minutes the entire length of the pole barn became totally involved in fire. Command requested response from the east side of the Ingham County Tanker Task Force which brought additional tankers from Leroy Twp, Stockbridge & Williamston. Tower 808 was set up and several additional handlines were put in play. Gas and electric utilities on the "D" side of the structure became involved which created additional hazards for firefighters to deal with. Assistance was requested from Consumers Energy, and personnel were on the scene quickly to disconnect the power to downed wires. It only took another 30 minutes for the fire to eat it's way completely through the structure, leaving a roofless shell of the building the company used for millwork, planing and cutting of custom hardwood flooring. Firefighters were now faced with the extensive job of overhauling and extinguishing remaining pockets of fire, as well as checking for extension in a sawdust shed attached by ductwork to the "B" side of the fire building and had smoke showing from it. Yard personnel used a front end loader to bring down the remaining walls. Firefighters were on the scene for almost 5 hours, and returned later in the evening to check for hot spots.