Power lines above a garage kept firefighters at bay, and left a road blocked off deep into the night on June 15.
According to Orion Fire Department Chief Jeff Key, firefighters first arrived at the scene of a garage fire at 539 Joslyn Road, just west of Heights Road, around 3:30 p.m.
‘It appears to have been started by a fire behind the garage, that spread through the grass,? Key said, noting that the specifics of the original fire were still unknown.
According to an Oakland County Sheriff’s Department report, the homeowner said the original fire was located approximately 50 feet from the garage.
The homeowner also said he heard fireworks earlier in the day.
‘We were on the scene for a long time, primarily because of the high tension wires on the property,? Key added.
Key said the presence of the power lines forced firefighters to work with extreme caution, and the entire fire was not put out at first.
‘We were on the scene for the fire for a good hour and a half,? he said.
Firefighters finally left the scene around 9 p.m., Key said, but returned periodically throughout the night to monitor the situation.
A separate company, International Transmission Co., was called in to work on the power lines once the fire was under control, and Key said they worked deep into the night.
‘The garage was directly under the power lines and the fire did damage some cables,? he said.
At least two cables had to be repaired because of fire damage.
‘They brought crews in, and repaired the wires throughout the night,? Key said.
The OCSD report said ITC left the scene around 2:30 a.m.
The homeowner, who attempted to put the fire out himself with a garden hose as the fire and police departments responded, suffered some minor burns.
First aid was administered to him at the scene.
The homeowner said two vehicles, a 1968 Ford Shelby Cobra and a 1965 Mustang, were located in the garage, as well as three lawn mowers and a tractor.
Key said the damage to the garage was severe.