HARRISON — A fire destroyed the Wagon Wheel Motel on North Clare Avenue on the afternoon of July 5, displacing more than two dozen residents and sending the motel’s owner to the hospital with burn injuries.
According to a July 7 news release from Clare County EMHSD, emergency crews were dispatched at 3:58 p.m. to the fire, which broke out at the 12-unit motel located at 4294 N. Clare Ave. Twenty adults and six children were living at the motel at the time. All escaped safely, according to Clare County Emergency Management.
The motel owner suffered burns to his feet and hands and remains hospitalized.
The building is considered a total loss. Six fire departments responded to the blaze.
The American Red Cross is providing immediate aid to displaced residents, including shelter and personal necessities. As of Monday, seven adults were being temporarily housed while longer-term arrangements are being sought.
“The most important current need is to get them into stable housing,” Clare County Emergency Management Director Jerry Becker said in a July 7 statement.
Monetary donations can be made through the Harrison Moose Lodge No. 2235 at 5185 N. Clare Ave., or directly to the American Red Cross.
Emergency Management officials thanked the Harrison community for its outpouring of support, and extended appreciation to responding fire departments, the Clare County Sheriff’s Office, Mobile Medical Response, Clare County Transit, Hayes Township officials, McDonald’s of Harrison, Chuck’s Stop and Save, and others who have stepped in to help.