BRONSON, MI (WTVB) - A home in Branch County’s Batavia Township was declared a total loss yesterday after a 3-alarm fire gutted the structure. The alarm for the blaze at the Terry Block residence at 365 West Chicago Road came in shortly before 11 a.m. Bronson firemen upon arrival found all of the occupants out of the home, which was filled with smoke. No injuries were reported.
Bronson Deputy Fire Chief Ken Stutzman said the fire was difficult to fight because of 20 mph winds combined with the advanced stage of the flames and the wood-cement block construction of the 2-story home owned by Gordy Moore.
It’s believed the fire was sparked by an electrical short in the basement area. Damages were estimated at 120-thousand dollars. The Coldwater and Lakeland Fire Departments provided mutual aide. Firemen were on the job for about 7 hours
