Fire Strikes Plymouth House

A Sunday afternoon fire damaged a house in Plymouth Township.

Fire broke out at a ranch-style house in the 1800 block of Johnson Road near Plymouth Road at about 2:25 p.m.

Desiree Smith, who lives next door to the house that was on fire, said she was sleeping when the fire started, and added that her 13-year-old son Alex alerted her to the smell of smoke.

“I was sleeping, taking a nap, when my son said that he smelled smoke and something burning — a weird smelling smoke,” Smith said. “We checked the house and then we saw smoke coming from the windows of our neighbor’s house.”

One man lives in the house, along with his dog; the man and his dog were down the shore at the time of the fire, according to Smith, who called the homeowner after she noticed the fire. 

The man had lived in the house for most of his life, Smith said.

Plymouth Township Deputy Fire Marshal Martin Rafter said no one was injured in the fire, adding that it is under investigation. According to Rafter, the fire may have started in the living room of the house.

Fire fighters placed some of the debris from inside the house on the side lawn to prevent rekindle. According to Rafter, the house is structurally sound and will not have to be knocked down. 

Fire crews started leaving the area at about 4 p.m.