Buchanan Township Fire Department hosts warming center

BUCHANAN TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Monday morning’s snow caused thousands of people to lose power in Michiana.

There are still people without power in Buchanan, mainly on the north side of town.

Volunteer firefighters at the Buchanan Township Fire Department are offering coffee, a place to sleep, and a place to shower at the fire station on Main Street until power is restored for all residents.

Volunteers said calls began coming in at about Monday morning as power lines and trees came down due to the heavy, wet snow.

Fire fighters took turns responding to calls and taking care of people here at the station.

Volunteers say that as they brought their families into the fire station to keep warm, they decided to open to all people without power.

People without power are invited to take shelter at the fire station and bring snacks, pillows and blankets, or towels and soap to get comfortable.

“We just put coffee on in the kitchen, tell people if they need to be warm to come here, this is the place, and we’ll be here until all of our residents haves someplace warm to go to,” said Buchanan Township Fire Chief Tim Jesswein.

Families, dogs, and even bearded dragons have come to the station to get warm.

Volunteers say that it may be until 9 o’clock Tuesday night until all power is restored.