GRAND RAPIDS CHARTER TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Two people escaped a burning unattached garage fire last week, but suffered burn injuries that required hospitalization, the Grand Rapids Township Fire Department said.
Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, the firefighters learned about a barn on fire in Grand Rapids Township.
The first engine that made it to the scene discovered it was actually an unattached garage and it had flames on all sides.
Two people were able to escape the flames by jumping from the second floor. Fire officials said both suffered significant burns and other injuries, and were rushed to a hospital.
Crews then focused on protecting the adjacent home from starting on fire from the radiant heat.
The building ended up collapsing on itself, which made extinguishing pockets of flames difficult for firefighters.
The Kent County Road Commission brought an excavator to help in digging through the remaining material to completely extinguish the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Several other area fire departments had to be called in to help because there were limited fire hydrants in the area.
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