Morgan Township fire report: rural response times, garage structure fire contained; smoke-detector distribution ongoing

The Morgan Township fire representative reported 34 incidents for the month and 219 for the year to date and described a recent garage structure fire that was extinguished before mutual-aid units arrived.

The fire representative said the department’s average out-the-door time was 1 minute 51 seconds and average travel time about seven minutes, figures the department cited as expected in a rural 36-square-mile response area. “If we can get water on a fire in under 7 minutes, I'm pretty proud of that with 2 people,” the fire representative said, describing a response where crew and officers worked with limited resources.

The department described a recent garage fire where two young children slept in a space above the garage; the family escaped after power failed and alerted residents. Fire investigators — including a chief and a captain on the department’s investigation team — examined the scene and listed the origin as undetermined. The representative said some work had been occurring in the garage, but investigators could not conclusively identify an ignition source.

The department also reported 78 training hours for staff that month (434 hours year to date), one mutual-aid transport to Riley Township, and 10 business inspections performed by Captain Meyer. The department continues to distribute and install donated smoke detectors; staff install detectors to reduce liability and ensure proper installation, the representative said.

Trustees asked for more public mention of the department’s handling of the recent fire, and commended crew members for the response under limited resources.