May 06--NILES -- At least seven fire departments worked for more than an hour to extinguish a blaze that destroyed a vacant house just north of the Indiana-Michigan state line Tuesday afternoon.
Fire crews responded about 1:30 p.m. to what was described as an abandoned house at 2049 Stateline Road, between Juniper and Ironwood roads. The house was already engulfed in flames when crews arrived, said Niles Township Fire Chief Gary Brovold.
It was unclear Tuesday afternoon what caused the blaze. A Michigan State Police investigator was called to look into how the fire started, Brovold said.
Downed electrical lines delayed the first firefighters to arrive, and crews had to extinguish flames that spread west from the house through some brush and trees, threatening other nearby houses.
Fire crews also responded from Clay Fire Territory, the city of Niles, Howard Township, Buchanan, Edwardsburg and Bertrand Township.
Many of the fire crews were utilized to bring water in tankers because no hydrants were available near the scene, Brovold said.
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