Local fire crews successfully contain downtown fire

HOUGHTON — A fire in downtown Houghton Friday could have been a lot worse if not for the quick response by local fire crews.

The damage to the building is extensive, but it’s easy to imagine what could have happened had the fire that burned here over the weekend not been contained. This was the scene Friday night shortly after 9:00 p.m. when crews from the Houghton, Hancock, Hurontown and Stanton Fire Departments managed to put out the blaze before either of the adjacent buildings caught fire.

The building at 511 Shelden Avenue contains two local businesses and some apartments. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Given the close proximity of the structures and the materials they are made with, a fire in a downtown building has the potential of doing severe damage to the historic district. That didn’t happen here thanks to the combined efforts of the local volunteer fire departments, even with some personnel attending a firefighter’s tournament.

State Police Fire Investigator Dale Hillier met with Houghton Fire Chief Mike Reynolds to discuss the fire but the actual investigation won’t get underway until later this week. The cause of the fire is still undetermined at this time.