EAST CHINA TWP, Mich. (WXYZ) — 20-30 residents have been displaced after a fire broke out at an apartment building in East China Township early Sunday morning.
“A lot of people lost everything," said Robert Bark, a former Bree Manor resident.
Bark made it out of his apartment with just the clothes on his back.
He lost all of his belongings including his two cats.
“I had them for 14 years since they were little kittens," said Bark.
St. Clair County Central Dispatch got calls about the fire at Bree Manor Apartments on Bree Road around 12:30 a.m.
According to officials, all residents in the building were accounted for and no injuries were reported in the fire.
St. Clair police and fire were assisted by several groups to help the displaced residents, including:
- Blue Water Transit assisted by sending a bus to the apartment building to transport victims to a warm shelter.
- St. Clair High School opened their doors to responders and residents as a warm interim location while more permanent locations were finalized
- The American Red Cross is working to get housing for the displaced residents
- St. Clair Inn opened their doors to residents who had nowhere else to go
There are also a few organizations and businesses offering help to the fire victims including:
- Lucky's Market in East China
- St. Clair Baptist Church
- Soaring Dreams Inc. in St. Clair
- The St. Clair Thrift Store
The cause of the fire is under investigation but no foul play is suspected, per the Sheriff's Office.
