LAPEER COUNTY, Mich. – Officials say all residents were evacuated safely after a fire at a Lapeer apartment complex prompted a third-alarm response.
The fire occurred on Thursday (Jan. 2) at 8:07 a.m. in the 31003 block of Village West Dr. N.
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Initial reports from dispatch indicated visible flames from a ground-floor apartment window on the east side of the building, with no signs of evacuation.
Lapeer Fire-Rescue Department responded to the structure fire alongside Elba Township Fire-Rescue, which elevated the incident to a third alarm due to the fire’s nature, limited initial personnel, and the potential for occupants being trapped.
The escalation brought critical support from neighboring fire departments, including:
- Metamora Township Fire Department
- Davison-Richfield Fire Department
- Oxford Fire Department
- Attica Fire Department
- Lapeer County Southeast Manpower Strike Team: Including Imlay City, Dryden, Almont, and Berlin Fire Departments
When they arrived, officials said flames and smoke from a bottom-floor apartment in building No. 3 were visible.
Flames extended from the first-floor window to the second-floor apartment directly above the fire apartment.
The building was immediately evacuated with support from Lapeer police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and Michigan State Police Troopers.
All occupants were safely evacuated, and two elderly residents from the originating apartment were transported to McLaren Lapeer Region for evaluation with non-life-threatening injuries.
The fire, exacerbated by hoarding conditions in the originating apartment and brisk winds, was controlled in approximately 80 minutes.
Thanks to the exceptional efforts of fire-rescue personnel and mutual aid partners, fire damage was contained to the originating apartment, the common hallway, and the unit above.
Building No. 3 contains 12 apartment units with 17 residents. City ordinance requires each apartment to have working smoke alarms.
The building was last inspected in May 2024 and was within compliance. The building’s electricity, natural gas, and water remain disconnected while Village West management coordinates with Servpro, DTE, and Consumers Energy to restore services to unaffected units.
Lapeer County Emergency Manager Sarah Whaley coordinated on-scene with the American Red Cross and apartment management to secure temporary housing for displaced residents.
Additional agencies provided essential support, including:
- Lapeer County EMS
- Lapeer County Central Dispatch
- Lapeer County Sheriff’s Office
- City of Lapeer Department of Public Works
Oregon Street was closed during the incident and re-opened after the incident.
The scene was cleared at noon. Lapeer’s fire investigators are investigating the origin and cause of the fire.
