Back-to-back fires keep Superior department busy

Superior firefighters responded to back-to-back fires Tuesday.

At 11:33 a.m., all engine companies and the battalion chief were dispatched to a garage fire at 1211 John Ave., according to a release from Battalion Chief Steve Edwards.

On arrival, crews found a detached garage in the alley fully involved.

The owner of the property, Gil Schumaker, said he wasn’t sure what happened; he was in the house when the blaze started.

Firefighters attacked the fire and brought it under control in about an hour. No one was injured at the fire and the garage will be listed as a total loss, about $35,000 including the building and contents. The fire remains under investigation.

Crews were still on the scene of that fire when they received a call at 1:09 p.m. for a possible structure fire in the 2200 block of Central Avenue in Superior’s South End.

Crews arrived on that scene and found a working fire in the old foundry building across the railroad tracks from Cragin Machine.

Crews also brought that fire under control in about an hour. No injuries were reported and damage was listed at $2,000.

The foundry fire is suspicious in nature and is under investigation by the Superior fire and police departments, Edwards said.

Eight off-duty firefighters were called in to help fight the fires and answer other emergencies.

All crews were clear and back in service at 3:36 p.m.

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