12/21/15 - Dansville house fire, 3885 E. Dansville Rd

At 8:55 AM on Monday, December 21, 2015, a MABAS box alarm was dispatched sending the Dansville, Stockbridge (SAESA) and Leroy Twp (NIESA) fire departments to a reported house fire on M-36 (Dansville Rd) just west of M-52. A passerby reported flames thru the roof of a one story residence, unknown if occupied. First arriving Dansville command confirmed a working house fire and requested additonal tankers from Fowlerville and Unadilla Twp in Livingston County. The first arriving engine, Dansville 331, was directed to use their deck gun in a blitz attack to try to knock down the main body of fire. Second arriving SAESA Engine 1041 was instructed to pull their preconnects and hit the fire once 331 ran out of water. Due to the poor condition of the structure and the hoarder conditions firefighters encountered inside, personnel were not able to enter more than a few feet into the structure at any given access point. A live power line laying in the backyard created an additional hazard for firefighters. Crews attempted to knock down the flames from the doorways and windows, but, after meeting with the owner of the home, command made the decision that the building was already lost and he was not going to risk firefighter lives and safety any longer. All personnel were ordered away from the structure, lines were picked up and mutual aid was cleared as the structure was allowed to burn. A racoon and several cats self evacuated from the home and needed some direction from firefighters to move away from the burning structure. It is believed several other pets perished in the blaze. No personnel were injured.