Two dogs and a cat were missing after a fire Thursday, Nov. 7, destroyed a duplex in Spring Lake Township.
An occupant of the home, Charlene Easey, suffered burns to her hand as she was fleeing the residence.
She was treated at the scene and released.
The fire was reported at 5:39 p.m. at 17653 148th Avenue, north of State Road.
Upon arrival, Spring Lake firefighters found half of the duplex engulfed in flames. All of the occupants except Easey escaped the fire unharmed. A total of eight cats and dogs were rescued but two dogs and a cat were missing, fire Chief Brian Sipe said. Preliminary investigation showed that the fire started in the garage and spread to the rest of the duplex. The structure is a total loss, the chief said.
The property was insured but those renting the duplex had no renter’s insurance. The American Red Cross is working with the victims of the fire.