Crime & Safety
Kalamazoo County, MI Fire: Welding Sparks $15K in Damage
Portage, MI – Two residents were injured Sunday afternoon after a welding accident ignited spilled gasoline inside an attached garage in Portage, Michigan, causing approximately $15,000 in damage and
By Tessa Morgan · 2026-11-02T03:22:55.891Z
Portage, MI – Two residents were injured Sunday afternoon after a welding accident ignited spilled gasoline inside an attached garage in Portage, Michigan, causing approximately $15,000 in damage and sending one person to the hospital.
According to the Portage Department of Public Safety, firefighters responded around 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, to the 1900 block of Vickery Road following reports of a fully involved garage fire.
Firefighters from Engine 1211 arrived to find heavy smoke coming from the attached garage and a recycling bin burning in the driveway. Everyone inside the residence had evacuated before emergency crews arrived.
A preliminary investigation determined that the fire began while a resident was performing welding work underneath a vehicle.
During the repairs, a gasoline container was accidentally overturned, spilling fuel onto the garage floor. Sparks from the welding operation ignited the gasoline, causing flames to spread rapidly to nearby combustible materials.
Authorities said the resident attempted to remove the burning recycling bin to prevent the fire from spreading but suffered burns to a leg.
Emergency medical personnel treated the individual before transporting them to a local hospital with non life threatening injuries.
A second person was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation and did not require hospitalization.
Firefighters quickly extinguished the remaining flames and checked the attached residence for fire extension.
The blaze damaged a vehicle, welding equipment, shelving and other garage contents. Although smoke and heat damage occurred throughout the garage, flames did not spread into the home's living areas.
Officials estimated total damage at approximately $15,000, and residents were able to remain in their home.
Battalion Chief Lou Playford warned that gasoline vapors can ignite rapidly when exposed to sparks or other ignition sources.
The department urged residents to keep flammable liquids away from welding equipment, open flames and other activities that generate sparks.