St. Clair Shores Firehouse Closed Because of Mold

ST. CLAIR SHORES, MI — Firefighters have temporarily abandoned their posts at a St. Clair Shores firehouse after a leaking roof created a dangerous mold situation, and neighbors who depend on firefighters stationed on the city's north side aren't happy.

St. Clair Mayor Kip Walby said officials didn't have a choice because of the health risk the mod poses to firefighters.

The firehouse at 13 Mile Road and Greater Mack Avenue will be closed until further notices, and fire calls will be dispatched from the firehouse at 11 Mile Road and Harper Avenue until the building can be made safe again.

"It's a double-edged sword," Walby told WJBK-TV. "We can't have people in here with mold; at the same time we've got to make sure that we cover the north end."

The temporary relocation could slow down fire response times by as much as two minutes, which "can cost somebody their life, unfortunately," resident Robert Ransom told the TV station.

Officials are hopeful that firefighters can be back in the firehouse by the end of the week.

"If not, we'll have other ways to get maybe something mobile out here so we are can get our fire truck back out here," Walby said.

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