NOBLE TOWNSHIP, MI (WTVB) – A family dog may have saved his owners life Wednesday afternoon when a house fire broke out in Branch County’s Noble Township. The fire at 930 Dutch School Road was reported to the Bronson Fire Department at about 1:00 p.m..
Bronson Fire Chief Scott Wilber said there were no working smoke alarms in the home. The lone occupant was awoken by the barking dog. The unnamed occupant and the dog got out of the burning home before firefighters arrived.
Flames were coming through the roof of the single story home when fire crews arrived. Firefighters from Burr Oak and Orland, Indiana provided tankers as part of their mutual aide.
LIfecare Ambulance and the Branch County Sheriff’s Department Victims Services Unit also responded. Wilber said the probable cause was the chimney on a wood-burning stove. He added the property was being used as a rental and was owned by Jason Rinehart.
The fire caused nearly $40,000 worth of damage which included an estimated $30,000 to the structure.
No injuries were reported but police scanner traffic indicated there was one case of smoke inhalation. Firefighters were on the scene for four hours.
