A fire ravaged Leid Diesel Service, an auto repair business in Sheridan, prompting a response from multiple fire departments on June 22. According to the Sheridan Community Fire Department, the incident was reported at around 2:10 a.m. with crews arriving to discover the flames blazing through the roof of the repair facility and its office area. "The fire had spread throughout the main facility when crews got to the scene", Sheridan Fire Chief Brandon Stowell said, as per WZZM 13, detailing the severity of the situation as they battled the inferno.
Despite a collapsed garage roof preventing entry, firefighters using handlines and aerial crews from Greenville managed to quell the majority of the fire. Seen through the Sheridan Fire Department's eyes, no immediate cause of the blaze has been identified, and it does not appear to be suspicious at this time. Thankfully, the incident did not result in any injuries, as the area was clear of personnel at the onset of the fire. The adjacent structure, housing various parts and supplies, was salvaged, while the main facility suffered significant damage, as reported by FOX17.
The magnitude of the firefighting operation was underscored by Chief Stowell's estimate that it took about 30 firefighters from six different departments and approximately 95,000 gallons of water to extinguish the flames. With the combined effort of the Stanton Community Fire Department, Ronald Township Fire Department, Montcalm Township Fire Department, Greenville Public Safety, and Crystal Fire Department, the fire was cleared by 10:30 a.m. Employees from Leid Diesel Service came to assist after hearing about the fire, exemplifying the community spirit in times of crisis.
As firefighters worked diligently to put out hotspots, traffic around M-57 at Derby Road was affected, narrowing down to one lane. The auto shop is now considered a total loss, as reported by WOODTV. While the fire's flames were vanquished, what it consumed could not be reclaimed—Leid Diesel Services stands as a scorched testament to the destructive power of fire and the resilience of those who oppose its spread.
