MASON COUNTY, MI - A fire which broke out in Mason County last Friday threatened hundreds of lives and burned over 1,000 boxes used for hauling apples by the Indian Summer fruit processing plant. Luckily firefighters were on the scene quickly and were able to quickly contain the fire, preventing any further damage.

“I knew this was going to be a challenge and knew I had to get as much water on that fire as quickly as possible,” Fire Chief Joe Cooper said. “Once we were able to get a constant flow of water to Ludington’s aerial truck we were able to knock it down fairly quickly.”

While Cooper and his 50 firefighters worked quickly to put out the blaze, Indian Summer employees worked to reduce the fire load in the area by moving any unburnt crates out of the vicinity. Their act of bravery certainly won't be forgotten.

According Mason County Press, the effort called on personnel from the Riverton, Pere Marquette, Ludington, Hamlin, Scottville and Pentwater fire departments along with workers from the American Red Cross. At this time, the cause of the fire has not been identified, although Cooper did note that an active trash burning pile was found only about 30 feet from the destroyed boxes.

Thankfully, the situation was contained before it could spread or get any worse.