By David Fleet
Editor
Brandon Twp.-At 11:52 a.m., March 22, Brandon Fire Department engines were dispatched to the 100 block of Huff Lake Court for a structure fire. When firefighters arrived a 40 feet by 40 feet pole barn was engulfed in flames. The barn was not occupied at the time, however, a horse and donkey were in a corral with access to the structure.
“Heavy smoke and wind from the fire prompted the temporary closure of the north bound side of M-15 by the Oakland County Sheriff Department,” said David Kwapis, Brandon Fire Chief. “The donkey was trying to keep the horse out of the burning building. The animals were moved to safety and there were no injuries in the blaze.”
The homeowner was home at the time of the fire. A wood stove in the pole barn was in operation prior to the blaze. Independence, Atlas and Groveland townships along with Oxford fire departments provided mutual aid. Water from the Long Lake subdivision was used to fight the fire. The structure was a complete loss and the fire remains under investigation.