Fire at Ahmeek apartment building

Fire departments and law enforcement agencies from across Houghton and Keweenaw Counties responded to a blaze on the upper level of an Ahmeek apartment building Thursday night. The structure at 26 Senter Street houses at least three units, whose entrances can be seen from ground level.

A ladder truck from Calumet Township Fire and Rescue took the lead in attacking the flames from above. Crews used a saw to cut away at the exterior and gain access to the crawl space, where the fire continued to thrive.

Firefighters were able to comfortably reach the second floor and assist from below. No word yet on the cause of the fire. Keweenaw County Sheriff Curt Pennala was on scene and said that the state fire marshall had been requested.

The water pressure pulled shingles from the roof. Even with damage held mostly to the upper levels, the building is in bad shape and several families will be at least temporarily displaced. Keweenaw Report will pass along any information on different efforts to help the families affected when it becomes available.