A Thanksgiving morning fire caused an estimated $300,000 in damage to the home of Oxford Township residents Ron and Karen Nihranz.
Oxford firefighters were called to 2869 Grousewood (west off Ray Road) at 8:11 a.m. Nov. 25 to battle a house fire apparently caused by an overheated fireplace chimney, according to Fire Chief Jack LeRoy.
LeRoy said it appears the metal chimney leading to the wood-burning fireplace on the first floor became overheated, igniting the wooden frame surrounding it.
When firefighters arrived on scene, they discovered smoke pouring from the attic of the two-story home. The fire was confined to the attic and inside the walls surrounding the chimney, the chief said.
With assistance from the Addison and Orion fire departments, Oxford firefighters had the blaze under control by 9:11 a.m. and cleared the scene at 11:54 a.m.
An estimated $300,000 in structural and contents damage was caused by the blaze, according to LeRoy.
The majority of the fire damage was confined to the attic area and the chief said the whole upper level of the 6,200-square-foot home will have to be reconstructed because most of the trusses were severely damaged.
No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze.