At 1:31 PM today, the Holland Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a residential fire at 684 Van Raalte Avenue. An initial caller indicated that fire and smoke was visible. At 1:36 PM, the first arriving unit reported a working fire with flames showing. The garage of the home was well involved with fire. All occupants including the family pet safely escaped the home prior to the arrival of the department.
Firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire and limit fire damage to the garage area of the the home. This effort also eliminated any damage or flame spread to neighboring homes. Additionally, there were no injuries to occupants or responding firefighters. Damage estimates are not available at this time.
The department's Fire Marshal has initiated an investigation into the origin and cause of the fire. Although the exact cause has yet to be determined, the fire appears to have originated in the garage. The Holland Township Fire Department and the Hamilton Fire Department provided standby and responded to subsequent incidents while the department was on scene completing salvage and overhaul. Additional assistance was received from the Holland Police Department, the department's Victims Services Unit and canteen services were provided by the Ottawa County Emergency Management Division's volunteer services group. All units cleared the scene at 4:00 PM.
For additional questions or information please contact Captain Chris Tinney at 616-355-1023.