ST. CLAIR COUNTY (WWJ) The community rallied around about two dozen people who were displaced by an overnight apartment fire in St. Clair County.
The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office said their Central Dispatch received multiple calls of a fire at Bree Manor Apartments, on Bree near Range, in East China Township—on Sunday (January 26) around 10:30 a.m.
The building was engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived, the sheriff's office said.
Every resident had made it out of the building, and no one was unaccounted for, they said. An estimated 20 to 30 people were displaced by the fire.
"Thanks to teamwork and community, these residents were quickly taken care of to secure safety in these frigid temperatures," the sheriff's office said in a press release.
They said the fire department responded "quickly" and "ensured resident safety." The St. Clair Police Department was first at the scene and helped everyone evacuate.
Blue Water Transit sent a bus to transport the residents to a warm shelter.
St. Clair High School opened their doors as an interim location while more permanent arrangements were made.
The Red Cross is helping the victims secure housing and other forms of assistance.
Last but not least, the Saint Clair Inn welcomed the displaced residents who had "nowhere else to go in the middle of the night," the sheriff's office said.
"Although a very unfortunate event, the display of community in the time of need was obvious and greatly felt," the sheriff's office said.
They said the cause of the fire remains under investigation, but no foul play is suspected.
