Lansing's North Side Fire
February 27, 1971
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On Saturday February 27, 1971, many of the fire companies were still cleaning up or recouping from the Plymouth Congregational fire that occurred two day before. Early on the 27th, sustained winds began to move into the area with wind gusts, at times, reaching 50 mph. At 6:48 a fire was reported at the Terzian Building, home of Benny’s Furniture Warehouse and the former Auto Body plant on 1301-1307 N Turner. |
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Upon arrival the Deputy Fire Chief Joseph Burtraw surveyed the situation and entered and exited the building using the southeast door. Moments later flames began to appear through the windows on the west side of the structure. The flames were immediately hit with a gust of wind that pushed the fire back into the building resulting in a back draft explosion which blew out all the windows in the 5 story structure. The fire becomes a 4-alarm blaze. It is now 6:58 |
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Fire now appeared on all floors of the building fanned by the gusting winds out of the SW. As described by a witness, ‘ the flames roared out of the north side windows with such force that they jumped the rail road track and attacked the Ladder-5 Engine. Before anyone could reach the controls the truck ignited. ' It is now 7:05 and the blaze is now a 5-alarm fire. A firestorm is being created. Wind gusts, generated by the growing fire, are now reaching 70-100mph. |
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Directly across Turner from the warehouse is another large structure, Grand Rapids Sash and Door whose roof is now aflame. Fire Chief Donald Bernett arrives and issues a mutual aid call and a general alarm is struck. Deputy Fire Chief Burtraw implements a plan to stop the fire along the railroad tracks just east of the Grand Rapids Sash and Door warehouse. It is 7:20 and heavy streams of water halt the fire’s advance. Firefighters would spend many hours containing the blaze and stabilizing the situation. |
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Firefighters spent two days extinguishing smoldering ruins. Estimates place the total losses at $1.2 Million. Image is Grand Rapids Sash and Door. |
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Ladder #2 was lost in the conflagration. (Photograph taken from frame of movie film as Ladder #2 is beginning to burst into flames.) |
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Little remained of use on Ladder #2, even the aluminum helmets melted in the heat. |
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A view from the Grand River. Over 375 firefighters manning 28 pieces of equipment were on hand to fight this fire. Departments responded from East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Eaton Rapids, Holt, Mason, Portland, Dewitt, St. Johns, Laingsburg, Bath, and the townships of Lansing, Meridian, Dewitt, Windsor and Benton. The Grand Ledge National Guard lent their airport crash truck. |
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The building in ruins |
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An overhead drawing of the fire ground |
