Fire causes damage to Sunset Lodge in Wells Township

WELLS TOWNSHIP — A Wells Township motel sustained damages following a fire on Friday afternoon.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., Escanaba Public Safety responded to the Sunset Lodge on North 11th Street in Wells Township on report of a structure fire. Officers arrived on scene and found a multi-unit motel fully engulfed in flames.

Officers utilized several attack lines and mutual aid from Escanaba Township Volunteer Fire Department to extinguish the blaze.

A live overhead powerline hindered the officers at first. The powerline was frayed at the mast of the building and was lying charged on the ground. The Escanaba City Electric Department was summoned to the scene to disconnect the power line.

Officers were on scene for two hours battling the blaze. None of the motel rooms were occupied at the time of the fire, and the firefighters did not sustain any injuries.

Authorities say that the fire was extinguished so quickly due in part to a new fire apparatus that allows for an air, foam and water combination that smothers fire more rapidly than water alone.

The cause of the fire may have been from a discarded cigarette in an outdoor plastic smokeless ashtray station. No more information is being released at this time.

UPPCO Power and Rampart EMS also assisted on the scene.