On Wednesday, March 6^th, 2019 around 10:38 am, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to the 1400 block of S Burdick St for a report of a garage fire. When officers arrived on scene, they found heavy smoke coming from an unattached garage behind a residence. A resident from the home advised that the garage was being used as living space for several homeless subjects. The resident was unsure if anyone was still inside the garage. Fire suppression and rescue operations were immediately started.  No one was located inside the garage and the fire was brought under control in approximately 25 minutes. Officers were on scene for just under two hours conducting fire fighting operations. The garage sustained significant damage. One firefighter received a minor injury while on scene, but medical attention was not necessary. The fire cause is under investigation by the Fire Marshal.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994, Silent Observer at 343-2100 or report online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt Danielle Guilds

Date: Wednesday, March 06, 2019

Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Acting Captain Sean Gordon, Operations Division, 269-337-8120

On Tuesday, March 5^th, 2019 around 7:05 am, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to the 1000 block of Denner St for a report of a structure fire. When officers arrived on scene they found heavy smoke coming from a two-story residence. Concerned neighbors advised that the homeowner, a 65 year-old female, was likely still inside the home. Fire suppression and rescue efforts were immediately started. It was quickly found that the fire had already advanced in the basement causing a partial floor collapse on the first floor. The collapse greatly limited rescue and fire suppression capabilities. Rescue efforts were additionally hindered by severe hoarding conditions inside the home. The homeowner was later found deceased inside the residence. The name of the homeowner is not being released at this time until all family notifications can be made.

Firefighters were on scene for several hours conducting fire fighting operations. Operations on scene were hampered by the cold weather which caused delays in water supply due to hydrants being frozen. One firefighter sustained a minor injury while on the scene; however medical attention was not required. The fire cause is under investigation by the Fire Marshal.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994, Silent Observer at 343-2100 or report online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt Danielle Guilds

Date: Tuesday, March 05, 2019

Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Acting Captain Sean Gordon, Operations Division, 269-337-8120

On Thursday, January 3^rd, 2019 around 1:43 pm, Kalamazoo Public Safety officers responded to the 900 block of Clarence St for the report of a structure fire. When officers arrived on scene they found heavy smoke and fire coming from an unattached garage behind a residence. Fire suppression efforts were started and the fire was brought under control in approximately 20 minutes. Officers were on scene for just over an hour conducting fire fighting operations. Two vehicles and another garage sustained damages caused by exposure to the fire. No civilians or firefighters were injured in this incident. The fire cause is under investigation by the Fire Marshal.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety at 337-8994, Silent Observer at 343-2100 or report online at www.kalamazoosilentobserver.com.

By authority of: Lt Danielle Guilds

Date: Thursday, January 03, 2019

Address: 150 E. Crosstown Pkwy. Suite A, Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Contact: Captain Matthew Huber, Operations Division, 269-337-8120