MI Volunteer Firefighter Killed By Downed Power Line: Sheriff

ALMENA TOWNSHIP, MI — A volunteer firefighter from Paw Paw was killed Wednesday by a downed power line in Almena Township, according to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials said the incident happened around 5:45 p.m. on the 42000 block of 30th Street near 42nd Avenue in Almena Township, which is roughly 12 miles west of Kalamazoo.

Officials did not exactly say how the firefighter came in contact with the live wire, but did confirm the downed power line was caused by the ice storm.

"On behalf of the Paw Paw Fire Department, it is with a heavy heart that they lost one of their own tonight on a tragic incident, no fault of the firefighter," the sheriff’s office said. "The Department is asking at this time that you give them time to deal with this tragedy, and at a later date and time more information will be available. They would also ask that you respect the family, friends, and fellow firefighters during this time while they are mourning the loss. Please keep all of them in your thoughts and prayers at this time. Thank you for respecting their wishes."

The Paw Paw fire department is one of the few departments in Michigan that is made up completely of volunteers, according to its website.

A Wednesday ice storm knocked down thousands of power lines across the state and left hundreds of thousands without power Thursday morning.