3/24/11 - Lansing Twp commercial building fire, 3021 E. Saginaw

Around 1:20 AM on Thursday, March 24, 2011, the Lansing Township Fire Department responded to a fire in a commercial building at 3021 E. Saginaw St, on the corner of Saginaw and Homer. First arriving units found a working fire in a vacant video rental store in the center of a one story block long structure containing four businesses. As Engine 52 initiated attack on the flames, mutual aid was requested from the East Lansing Fire Department for an engine company. Water supply was delayed as the closest hydrant was frozen and unusable until personnel from the Lansing Board of Water and Light were able to restore it. Callback of off duty firefighters was started and additional mutual aid was requested for an engine & truck from the Lansing Fire Department. An interior attack was attempted but firefighters were pulled out when conditions did not improve. The roof structure collapsed as master streams and aerial devices began to play on the fire. Lansing Fire command called for two more Lansing engine companies, and East Lansing command requested their Truck 12 to the scene. This allowed for an aerial truck to cover all sides of the structure. The local American Red Cross was requested to respond for firefighter rehab. Four hydrants were utilized from up to two blocks away to supply the truck companies and the handlines from Lansing Township Engine 51 and Engine 52. Because this business is surrounded by major traffic arteries leading into Lansing and East Lansing, traffic control around the scene was a monumental task. Joint effort by the Lansing Township, Lansing and East Lansing police departments, the Ingham County Sheriff Heavy Rescue Squad, and the Lansing and Lansing Township public service departments were required as water supply lines were laid across these roadways. It took several hours to control the blaze, which was contained to the business of origin. The three adjoining restaurants received heavy smoke and water damage and will be closed to business for an extended time.