BATTLE CREEK -(WKZO-AM) –The desire to have a cozy fire in the living room of a rental unit at 187 Union in Battle Creek nearly burned the place down, or worse and may result in charges.
The tenant complained in a 9-1-1 call of smoke coming from the walls around the fireplace and everyone evacuated.
Firefighters found flames in the walls next to the fireplace and smoke throughout the structure at about 1 a.m. Friday.
They are lucky the smoke appeared before they all went to sleep. The place had no smoke detectors.
They also found a suspected meth lab in the home that was unconnected to the fire and called police to investigate.
They estimate the damage to the home and contents at about $25,000.