Man burns fur off of squirrel to eat but sets apartment complex on fire
A fire that displaced more than two dozen people from their Holland Township apartments in Michigan was started by a resident burning off a squirrel’s fur, according to the local fire chief.
Clearview Michigan apartments on fire after a resident used a blow torch to prep a squirrel for food – screenshot WoodTV Channel 8 video
The fire at one of the buildings in the ClearView Apartments Wednesday afternoon heavily damaged dozens of units and left many people displaced — but no one injured.
Fire Chief Jim Kohsel confirmed to 24 Hour News 8 that the fire was started when a resident attempted to use a propane torch to remove a squirrel’s fur before eating it.
The fire moved fast from the deck of a third-floor apartment, Kohsel said, and was preparing to eat the animal. The fire got out of control and soon spread to the roof, which eventually caved in.
Both the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department and the Holland Charter Township fire department were on scene within minutes of the fire starting. They called on Zeeland’s fire department to assist.
The American Red Cross is helping as many as a dozen families who lost their homes.
“If we need to provide food, shelter, clothing, we’re going to try to help people with their immediate needs,” says Mike Mitchell, executive director of the Ottawa County chapter of the Red Cross.
