Firefighter among 3 hurt in Battle Creek house fires

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) — Two people were hospitalized, and a firefighter was hurt after two house fires sparked Sunday morning in Battle Creek.

The Battle Creek Fire Department says they received the first call at 2:36 Sunday morning for a fire at a home near South Avenue and High Street. The house sustained serious damage and a cat died in the fire.

All residents made it out safely, however a firefighter suffered a minor back injury during the response. He was treated on scene by paramedics and released.

The second fire sparked hours later at a duplex on Capital Avenue near Territorial Road East. The first call came in at 11:19 a.m. Two people had to be pulled from the building. One was rescued through a window by neighbors. Another was found by a firefighter and carried out of the home.

Both victims were taken to Bronson Battle Creek Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

BCFD says several people reported hearing explosions. Investigators believe there were two explosions involving medical oxygen tanks, but the home itself did not explode.

The cause of both fires remains under investigation. BCFD says there is no evidence saying the two fires are related.

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