WYOMING, Mich. Firefighters rescued three people from a third-floor apartment Monday night after a fire tore through the Crossroads Apartment complex in Wyoming, forcing dozens of residents from their homes amid bitter cold conditions.
The Wyoming Fire Department received the call around 8:45 p.m. and arrived within minutes to find flames spreading from a first-floor apartment up to the third floor and into the attic space.
Chief Dennis Van Tassel said crews encountered heavy fire conditions when they arrived, with flames already extending through multiple levels of the building.
The fire damaged 33 of the 35 occupied units in the complex. Among those rescued were two adults and a child who were trapped on the third floor. Officials said the occupants had attempted to escape on their own before firefighters reached them.
Van Tassel said the individuals had tied towels and sheets together in an effort to self-rescue. Firefighters deployed a 35-foot ladder to reach them, and at one point, crews feared the child might be dropped before they were able to complete the rescue.
Firefighters battled the blaze for hours while dealing with extreme winter conditions that made the response more difficult.
Van Tassel said freezing temperatures caused water to freeze on equipment, inside hoses, and in hydrants, leading to delays. He added that navigating deep snow while carrying ladders and gear significantly increased the physical strain on crews.
The American Red Cross and the Hangar Youth Center, a nonprofit based in Byron Center, assisted residents who were displaced by the fire. At least seven people spent the morning receiving aid and temporary shelter.
Dan Neymeiyer, founder of the Hangar Youth Center, said the organization worked with the Red Cross to provide a temporary shelter for those affected.
He said the goal was to give displaced residents access to information, basic needs, and a sense of relief after losing their homes.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Van Tassel said winter months present increased fire risks and urged residents to take safety precautions, including keeping combustible items away from water heaters and furnaces and avoiding the use of stoves or improper heating methods to warm homes.
Anyone impacted by the fire is encouraged to contact the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS for assistance or additional information. The Wyoming Fire Department also emphasized the importance of having working smoke alarms and a practiced emergency escape plan.
