GRAND BLANC TOWNSHIP -- Four senior residents were rescued from the now-gutted foster care home on East Maple Avenue after firefighters from Grand Blanc Township and Burton spent much of Monday afternoon playing catch-up with the flames.
"When we got here, the building was totally engulfed,” Grand Blanc Fire Chief Jim Harmes said.
Authorities say the fire likely started at the north end and quickly spread throughout the building, sending black smoke into the sky and alarming onlookers and neighbors..
"One of them was bedridden and you know, she couldn't get up and do anything herself and to know that they got her out healthy and you know, she's ok, it's a plus,” said Martone Williams, a former worker at the home.
One Grand Blanc Township police officer was later treated for smoke inhalation. But firefighters breath a sigh of relief that no one else was seriously hurt.
Chief Harmes said, “None of them appear to have been hurt at all, all of them are breathing OK, so on and so, at this time, it's just a matter of getting them to another location and helping them to understand where they're at."
Residents were moved to another location for the night, while Grand Blanc police, fire and the state fire marshal continue to investigate.
