A fire ripped through Bree Manor Apartments in East China Township, Michigan, early Sunday morning, leaving 20 to 30 residents without homes. The blaze erupted shortly after 12:30 a.m. on January 26, 2025, at the complex located at 600 Bree Rd.
First responders from the St. Clair Police Department arrived to find the building engulfed in flames and immediately began assisting residents in evacuating. Fire crews from several surrounding communities battled the fire, while Blue Water Area Transit provided a bus to transport displaced residents to a temporary warming center at St. Clair High School. The St. Clair Inn also generously offered overnight shelter.
“Me and my girlfriend were just laying in bed and one of our neighbors started piling on the door,” recounted Chris Lanter, one of the displaced residents. “There was no smoke alarms nothing going off.” Lanter’s statement raises concerns about fire safety measures within the building.
The fire has left many residents with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Robert Bark, a disabled resident, tragically lost his two pets in the fire. “Well both my cats are dead… my chair charger’s gone my phone charger was gone everything’s gone,” he shared. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Bark recover from this devastating loss.
The American Red Cross and the Community Foundation of St. Clair County are providing essential assistance to the displaced residents, including temporary housing, food, and clothing. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities do not suspect foul play.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of working smoke detectors and fire safety preparedness.
How to Help
Several local organizations are accepting donations to assist those impacted by the fire:
- American Red Cross: 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
- Community Foundation of St. Clair County: (810) 984-4761
- Lys Market in East China
- St. Clair Baptist Church
- Soaring Dreams Inc in St. Clair
- St. Clair Thrift Store
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