Fire in the Village of Shepherd
March 10, 2015
A fire swept through three buildings in the 200 block of the Village of Shepherd tonight. Fortunately, everyone who was in the upstairs apartments or the offices were safely evacuated in time.
Fire fighters from the Shepherd Tri-Township, Mt. Pleasant, and Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe responded to the blaze which had started inside the Grim Printing offices and spread to neighboring businesses which included the laundromat and Baskets by Hand.
News feed — March 11, 2015
Donations for families displaced by fire being accepted at Coe Township Hall
From the Shepherd Police Department:
We have had multiple people ask about donations. I see there are also multiple different people/groups trying to help. It is my recommendation that if you would like to help those displaced in our community that you use the below process. The Chamber will select a committee on how and when to disperse the funds/donations in the next couple of days. Please be cautious of donating to those you might not know. Thank You.
The Shepherd Chamber of Commerce has set up an account at ISABELLA BANK Shepherd Branch for donations and there is a bus located at the Coe Township Hall at 309 W Wright Ave. collecting items for those who lost so many things in the fire.
Thank you to the Shepherd Community for all YOU do to make the community what it is!
Support Family via GoFundMe Campaign
From the GoFundMe Page:
Sasha and her family just lost everything to a fire. Sasha is in the wrap family and loves her family. Her three beautiful children and family can use your support. Anything you can do would be so much appreciated. Her children are ages 4, 3 and 1. Let’s come together as a family and support this young family.
News Coverage — March 10, 2015
Firefighters Battle Downtown Shepherd Blaze
Struggling to keep his emotions in check, Aaron Fent stood late Tuesday afternoon with the only thing he has left: his bird, Raja. Read More
Multiple businesses destroyed in downtown fire
SHEPHERD, MI (WNEM) — Several businesses and apartments have been destroyed after a large fire broke out in downtown Shepherd, in Isabella County. Read more
ABC12 News
We’re hearing about a pretty bad fire in downtown Shepherd involving several businesses and connecting apartments. We hope everyone is OK — and want to reach out to our viewers in that area. Have you been impacted by the fire? Does anyone have photos from the scene they’re able to share? Post your comments/pics here. Thank you. Read More
Fire at weekly newspaper, other buildings in Shepherd captured by MLive reader
A devastating fire destroyed two long-time businesses Tuesday in the village of Shepherd. The buildings housing the Grim Printing Co., publishers of the weekly Shepherd Argus newspaper, the Laundry Corner laundromat, and a vacant storefront were destroyed. Read More
A look at the history behind the buildings lost in the fire
A Discussion posted on Facebook
Have been thinking a little bit about the history behind the buildings that were on fire last night. I have only lived here for a few years, so my memory doesn’t go back as far as most people. I was wondering if anybody would like to share stories about the buildings or the businesses that were once there.
Did you stay in one of the apartments
Did you work at a business there? Or were you a business owner?
Responses
Kaye Waddell We, Rick and Kaye Waddell purchased the Building right next to Grimms in 1993 from Bob Bates. It was Hometown Entertainment, and was a Video Store. We lived upstairs for many years until we sold the Business to Frank in 1998. Hired 2 of the Best high school kids, Jamie Liberty and Justin Dillman. Will try to find pictures and post them.
Lyle Howard I worked in the corner building while I was in high school in the late ’60’s.was a laundry mat and dry cleaners owned by Russ and Betty Lethorn
Jeff Parsons After the Lethorns sold it.. it was a pizza place with arcade games.. mostly pool tables and air hockey.
Kaye Waddell Central Appliance was owned by Sharon Dille and her Dad where Baskets by Hand was located for many years. She relocated down on Sunset and eventually got out of the Business…Sharon also owned the Laundromat as well.
Julie Marie Word I worked in that building when it was Isabella Community Credit Union. Sad for all the loss.
Heather Bendele There is a book called by DeWayne Kyser which has a lot of interesting history on Shepherd. In the book it talks about a man named Elton Miller who worked with his family in their real estate business “on the top floor of a building on the southwest corner of Wright and Third street”. This business existed from my guessing between 1910s until maybe the 1940s. In the book it says the office was heated by a coal stove and the coal had to be carried up to the office from a street level pile. Elton Miller was the clerk for the village of Shepherd and Coe Township.
Liz Hackett The Laundry Mat use to be owned by the Leethorns and was a dry cleaning business.
Originally published at docs.google.com.
