By Mitch Hotts
The Macomb Daily
ROSEVILLE, Mich. — During this Christmas season, members of the Roseville Fire Department found out the spirit of generosity is contagious.
Firefighters were trying to present a little holiday spirit to a local family who were staying at a hotel after a fire left their house uninhabitable.
The fire crews went to a nearby Meijer store to purchase some items for the family. That’s when they discovered the kindness of several residents — as well as Meijer personnel — who all chipped in for the effort.
“We are incredibly proud of our members and grateful to our community for their support,” members of Roseville Fire Fighters Union Local 1614 said in a Facebook post. “In this family’s time of need, we’re honored to have been able to bring them a little joy this holiday season.”
The incident started this past Saturday night when the firefighters responded to a call for help on Rockport Street, in the area of 13 Mile Road and Gratiot Avenue. A fire began in an attached garage and quickly spread to the family’s two-level home and upstairs, fire officials reported.
Crews worked for hours in freezing conditions to control the blaze and save the home.
“While the family escaped unharmed thanks to working smoke detectors, the fire tragically consumed their living room, destroying all of their Christmas belongings,” union members reported in their social media post.
The family, including four young children under the age of 5, is now staying in a hotel.
Earlier this week, the department used money from their donation account to purchase some items for the family. Armed with wish lists for the kids, the firefighters drove to Meijer on Little Mack Avenue to shop for Christmas gifts, clothes, and toiletries.
While the firefighters shopped, the crew on duty also responded to 15 calls for service, the union said. After wrapping the items at the fire station, the firefighters headed to the family’s hotel room to deliver them.
“During our shopping trip, members of the community noticed what we were doing and generously donated additional funds for the family. Meijer also stepped up by donating a gift card,” union members said.
Roseville’s firefighters extended their thanks to their counterparts in the St. Clair Shores Fire Department who also responded to the fire and provided assistance in battling it.
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