The Alpena Fire Department was requested around 11:59 a.m. for a home filling with smoke in an upstairs apartment located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Spratt Street.

According to a press release from the fire department, the tenant of the upstairs apartment opened three windows to clear the smoke, allowing fresh air in, causing the fire to spread. The tenant was outside and stated she thought the fire started behind her kitchen stove and was an electrical fire. The tenant from the downstairs apartment needed to be assisted out of her residence as she returned to the apartment and locked her door, requiring crews to force entry.

“It delayed the second crew from attacking the fire, but life safety always comes first,” Alpena Fire Chief Rob Edmonds said.

When firefighters entered the building in an attempt to put out the fire, the blaze was so severe that it destabilized the structure and forced firefighters to evacuate the building and fight the fire from outdoors.

News Photo by Reagan Voetberg An Alpena Fire Department truck is parked beside a house fire on Tuesday afternoon.

At the scene, a loud siren sounded to inform the firefighters inside to get out immediately, and soon afterward, the firefighters and their gear exited the home, and an accountability check was done to make sure everyone on the crew was accounted for.

After exiting the structure, the firefighters used hoses from the ground and from the water cannon attached to the basket on the department’s aerial truck to attack the flames, as large flames erupted out of the side of the structure.

Once it was determined the fire was under control, crews cautiously reentered the structure to begin overhaul operations to both the first and second story apartments. The home sustained heavy fire, smoke, and water damage, the press release said.

A total of 26 personnel were involved in the incident: eight on duty, 11 off duty, five auxiliary, deputy chief, and the fire chief.

Crews remained on the scene for approximately six hours.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz A pair of firefighters from the Alpena Fire Department operate a fire hose while battling a structure fire on Tuesday.

One firefighter was transported to MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena as a precaution for treatment of a medical issue.

The fire remains under investigation as to the cause and origin.

The fire department was assisted at the scene by the Alpena Police Department, the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office, the Alpena Department of Public Works, and Alpena County Central Dispatch. Alpena Power Company employees were at the scene to disconnect power at and near the home and DTE Energy was also there to address any utility gas concerns.

The Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center Fire Department was requested for a Rapid Intervention Team standby for firefighter safety while interior operations were underway. MyMichigan Emergency Medical Services was placed on a mutual aid standby to handle EMS needs within the city and county while fireground operations were underway.

The Alpena Township Fire Department was also placed on readiness standby in the event an additional fire occurred within city limits during the operation.

News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Alpena Fire Department crews battle a two-story structure fire at Spratt Street and 2nd Avenue in Alpena.

The Alpena Victim Advocates were requested to aid with the displaced tenants’ housing and personal needs.

The Alpena Salvation Army Canteen assisted with the hydration needs of the fire personnel on the scene.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.