KINROSS TOWNSHIP — The Kinross Township Volunteer Fire Department has requested assistance from Michigan State Police in investigating a fire that destroyed the Kinross 4-H Center on Sunday evening.
According to Fire Chief Bryan Huntley, the blaze began around 7:44 p.m. at the 4-H building, located on the south end of the Chippewa County Fairgrounds.
The department responded within seven minutes and was joined by nine other fire departments. Nearly 50 firefighters battled the flames.
“With the amount of manpower and tankers, we were able to extinguish the fire in five hours,” Huntley said. “And we did not have any rekindles.”
The fire required approximately 80,000 gallons of water to extinguish. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for fatigue.
The 4-H Center hosted various events during the Chippewa County Fair and also served as a venue for weddings, parties and other gatherings.
The cause of the fire is not yet known and could take several weeks to determine, officials said.