BRONSON, MI (WTVB) – A home in Branch County’s Matteson Township was destroyed in a Thursday night fire that investigators say may have been caused by an LP gas explosion.
Bronson Fire Chief Scott Wilber says the blaze at the Steve Wallo residence on Babcock Road was reported at about 9:00 p.m. and that 20 mile per hour winds drove the flames through the structure before fire crews arrived.
He says the fire started in the living room. The building and contents were a total loss with damages estimated at $85,000. It’s not known if the owner had insurance.
Wilber says the home owner suffered burns. Wallo was out of the house when the first firefighters arrived. He was taken to Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. It is not known how severly he was burned.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries. Crews were on the scene for four hours.
Bronson got assistance from Coldwater and Union City firefighters. Also assisting were Lifecare Ambulance, the Michigan State Police, Consumers Energy and Branch County Victim Services.
