KC Hall Houses Residents After Fire
- Fri, Jan 17, 2020 3:30 AM
December 30, 2020
Residents of The Brook evacuated following minor fire
WEST BRANCH — The Brook of West Branch retirement community was evacuated around 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28 due to a fire in the building’s D wing, according to West Branch City Police Chief Ken Walters. There were no injuries reported.
The fire was reportedly started by a resident suffering from dementia.
“It was a cardboard box with a lid on fire in the hallway in D wing, and it tripped the sprinkler heads, which flooded out a bunch of rooms,” Walters said.
There was no fire damage to the building, however, a reception center was set up at the West Branch Knights of Columbus hall to temporarily house residents whose rooms were affected by the sprinklers being tripped.
Matt Keeton The Ogemaw Councty Herarld
January 6, 2020
To;
Grand Knight Rick Leibler KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Ogemaw Council #2022 West Branch, MI
Dear Grand Knight Leibler,
Late at night on Saturday, December 28, The Brook Nursing facility experienced a fire incident requiring over 50 residents be evacuated and transported to a suitable shelter. That cold and weathered night, your K OF C Council, and Brother Knights came to the immediate rescue of the most vulnerable and frightened residents of The Brook, most likely while most has already been in bed for the night.
Your fellow Knights immediately sprang into action to open the Knights of Columbus hall, prepare it to accommodate patients that needed the most tender care, awoken from their sleep, and moved out quickly. One can only imagine how frightening this would be for each patient, it was a cold, bad weather night. While our local emergency managers, law enforcement, EMS, 911, and Fire Department assisted on site, your fellow Knights opened your arms in welcome to these vulnerable elderly patients. I imagine that your Knight members likely knew several of the patients and believe that brought them comfort in seeing familiar faces.
We are told this is at least the second time that the Knights have assisted the patients of The Brook due to an evacuation emergency. We understand that the Red Cross also assisted at the rescue site and, in addition, at the Council Building.
On behalf of the City and West Branch City Council, we are so appreciative of what the Knights of Columbus were able to do on both occasions. The Knights and your leadership at the State and National level need to be aware of what you did and of our heartfelt thankfulness. As God’s children, you took in and offered shelter to the most vulnerable of our elderly residents.
Often times in the rush to respond to a crisis and the aftermath, we forget to thank and highlight the exceptional efforts of volunteers and organizations that contribute so much.
Grand Knight Rick Leibler, the Council 2022 and its brother Knights are owed a debt of gratitude. You have much to be proud of.
Very Sincerely and most Gratefully,
Paul Frechette, Mayor of West Branch
Frank Goodroe, City Manager