September 22, 2023

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For the second time in less than 24 hours, crews from the Brighton Area Fire Authority battled a blaze in subzero temperatures Sunday, saving a 30-year-old man’s life in the process.

Firefighters responded to a fire at the Waters Edge Apartments at Grand River Avenue and Bendix Road in Genoa Township at about 8:30 p.m.

They found the man unconscious in his second-floor apartment.

Smoke alarms in the apartment were disconnected at the time of the fire, Chief Michael O’Brien said.

“He wouldn’t have made it without the (apartment) sprinkler system, his neighbors and some fast work,” OBrien said.

The man was transporrted by EMS to an area hospital. Additional information on his condition was unavailable.

Fighting fires in subzero temperatures puts added stress on crews as everything from equipment to fire truck doors can freeze, O’Brien acknowledged.

“Even walking across a parking lot in weather like that can cause problems. But we rotate frequently and have good staff,” he said. “They know what to do.”

Firefighters battled another blaze shortly before 3 a.m. at the Sylvan Glen mobile home park, off Herbst Road, where a 75-year-old woman lost her life.

The woman was identified by neighbors as Donna Bingham.

Investigation continues into both fires.

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