Tenants escape burning building

A torch used to thaw frozen pipes has been blamed for starting a fire Monday in a three-unit apartment building in Brigden that left several people temporarily homeless, and caused damage estimated at between $250,000 and $300,000.

Walt Anderson, chief of the St. Clair Township Fire Department, said Brigden firefighters were called out at approximately 5:30 p.m. to the fire on Boswell Street.

"The landlord was thawing some pipes and the fire got into the walls," he said.

"With the type of construction, she just went up the walls and into the attic."

The shell of the building was still standing Tuesday, but "it's pretty well gutted," Anderson said.

"Apparently, it was an old creamery so the walls are like three-foot thick of brick. It's a pretty solid building."

Anderson said all of the building's tenants escaped safely, and are reported to be staying with family, or found other accommodations.

"Everybody is out of the cold."

Anderson said firefighters were told four people lived in one apartment, one person lived in a second, and the third unit was vacant.

"It was very stubborn to fight," Anderson said, with cold temperatures and ice adding to the challenge, but no firefighters were injured.

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Tenants escape burning building