Incident number: 2905
Type of emergency: Structure fire
Incident date: 4/28/2024
Incident time: 11:19 a.m.
Address/location: 679 Capital Ave. NE
Occupied? Yes
Owner: Chip Spranger
Probable cause, if known: Under investigation
Structure type: Multi-family duplex
Construction type: Wood frame
Estimated property damage: $109,758
Estimated contents damage: $36,878
Location/extent of damage: East apartment and second floor
Hazardous materials involved?: None
Specialized rescues?: None
Vehicles involved: N/A
Injuries
Civilian: Yes, two civilians with smoke inhalation.
Responder: None
Fatalities
Civilian: None
Responder: None
Other information: Battle Creek Fire Department crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the front and east side of the home. It was reported that a person was still inside the home. Engine 2 made entry in the front of the home with a hoseline, while Truck 1 made its way to the backside of the home. Engine 2 started performing fire control, while Truck 1 found a victim that was halfway inside the burning structure, in the rear of the building. Truck 1 immediately grabbed the victim, and took her to the front of the structure and started treating her with oxygen. One additional victim had been removed from the fire, through a window by neighbors, before fire crews arrived on scene. Both victims were transported to Bronson Battle Creek Hospital by LifeCare Ambulance and were treated for smoke inhalation. Their conditions are not known at this time. Fire crews remained on scene to perform fire control, and then salvage and overhaul. No firefighters were injured. There were previous reports of the home exploding, however, it is believed that the two explosions heard were medical oxygen tanks rupturing. The fire is under investigation by the BCFD at this time.