GLEN LAKE— A fast-moving fire fueled by strong winds destroyed one home and damaged two others early in the morning along Glen Lake, drawing a large multi-agency emergency response.
Fire crews were dispatched around 5:30 a.m. after a resident across the lake reported seeing a large glow in the sky. While en route, firefighters received a second call from a fire alarm monitoring company reporting activated smoke alarms at a nearby home.
By the time crews arrived, all three homes were involved, officials said. The middle structure had already collapsed and was fully engulfed, with flames spreading to the neighboring houses to the north and south.
High winds off Glen Lake, estimated between 25 and 35 miles per hour, played a major role in the rapid spread of the fire, according to fire officials. Homes in the area were spaced roughly 20 feet apart, allowing radiant heat and wind-driven flames to ignite adjacent structures.
Firefighters focused immediately on exposure protection after determining the central home was a total loss. Crews worked to prevent further spread as flames extended into the sides of the neighboring homes.
Water supply posed an additional challenge. Firefighters drafted water from the Crystal River more than a mile away, while a tanker shuttle was established with assistance from multiple departments. A hydrant truck from the Leland Fire Department was used to support operations, and tanker strike forces were called in from Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties.
Officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. Due to the extent of the damage, determining the origin of the fire may be challenging. It is also unclear how long the fire burned before it was reported.
Strong winds further complicated suppression efforts, allowing the fire to consume much of the central home before crews arrived. Investigators believe the two neighboring homes caught fire primarily from heat exposure rather than direct flame contact.
In total, about a dozen agencies from three counties assisted at the scene. The American Red Cross provided food and drinks for responders, while the local road commission treated icy roads during the operation. Utility crews were also called in to shut off gas lines that were hindering firefighting efforts and to assist with the later overhaul of the heavily damaged structures.
Fire officials emphasized the importance of working smoke detectors and recommended that alarm systems be connected directly to local dispatch centers. With the holiday season underway, they also urged residents with live Christmas trees to keep them well-watered to reduce fire risk.
“This job isn’t done alone,” an official said. “Mutual aid is critical on fires like this, and this was one of those incidents.”
No injuries were reported.