EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the accurate number of peole injured and add details provided by Holland fire officials.
HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Firefighters were called to 152 E. 18th St. just after 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, and arrived to find flames showing on the second floor of the single family home.
All five people living there had managed to escaped, but two suffered smoke inhalation, according to Holland Fire Capt. Chris Tinney. One went by AMR ambulance to Holland Hospital for treatment, the other was treated at the scene, Tinney said.
All three Holland fire stations were called out just before 8:45 p.m. to fight the fire, with assistance from Park Township firefighters. (See photo gallery: https://whtc.com/galleries/6403.)They knocked down the fire as temperatures hovered around 22 degrees, with winds gusting 18 to 22 mph, creating a -6 windchill. Smoke poured into the neighborhood and a few who lived nearby ventured out to see the action. Most, however, quickly went back inside.
Firefighters were able to confine the fire to the second floor, Tinney said, remaining at the scene to douse any hidden fires while salvaging the resident’s personal belongings.
Damage estimates and a cause of the fire have yet to be determined, he said
Tinney said Holland Fire Marshal Bret Groendyke will be investigating the origin and cause of the fire. This story will be updated as details become available.
Providing on-scene assistance: Park Township firefighters, Holland police officers and volunteers from Victim Services, and the American Red Cross, he said.
Graafschap, Hamilton and Holland Township fire departments covered Holland’s fire stations during this incident, responding to four unrelated calls, includng a small commercial fire at Haworth, which was limited to a machine inside the plant, he said.
Holland’s online fire services include a fire-safety checklist for residents: https://www.cityofholland.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/Fire-Residential%20Fire%20Safety%20Checklist.pdf
