Groveland Twp.-At about 4 a.m, Sept. 19, Groveland Township firefighters responded to a house fire in the 2000 block of Bald Eagle Lake Road. While battling the fire, township Captain Chad Chewning received an electrical shock while on a land-based ladder climbing up to the second story.
John Williams, township fire captain, said the injuries were the result of the ground energized by a live electrical wire.
‘Both electrical meters were pulled from the house; however, the wire away from the house energized the ground, ? said Williams. ‘One of the greatest dangers is from shock stopping the heart. Luckily there were no burns and the injuries were minor.?
In addition, four other firefighters also received shocks’three were treated at the scene.
Chewning, the Oakland County Sheriff Office Communications Supervisor of Quality Assurance at OCSO Central Dispatch, along with another firefighter were transported to Genesys Medical Center due to their injuries from the shock. Both firefighters were released and home the next day.
Oakland County arson investigators were dispatched to the home and determined the cause of the fire to be one of the four residents was smoking in bed.
‘Fire in an old house goes fast due to the construction,? said Williams. ‘Fire travels up the walls’older homes have no fire stop all the way to the roof.?
Four tenants were home at the time of the fire. All escaped with no injuries. Groveland Township Fire Department was assisted by Atlas Township Fire Department, Brandon Fire Department, Holly Village Fire Department and Springfield Township Fire Department.
The home was a total loss.
Homeowner John Wudarcki, 78, said the house was built in 1904 and first owned by the Simpson family. Lawrence and Mary Wudarcki purchased the home along with 80 acres in 1922, at a cost of $6,500.
‘The taxes were $12 when dad purchased the house and buildings,? said John. ‘I was born here in 1931’and can remember dad watering the horses in the cistern next to the house. The hand pump and well are long dried up.?