House, barn heavily damaged in fire in Niles

 

NILES, Mich. -- A house and garage were heavily damaged in a fire Friday afternoon. The homeowner says he lost several pets in the fire.

Firefighters said the fire started in the garage, then spread to the house and a trailer.

"My heart was racing. I was worried about everything I had and built for 32 years and now lost it all," homeowner Sonny Yakim said.

Yakim suspects a downed power line caused the fire, but officials are still investigating.

Howard Township, Niles, Niles City, Edwardsburg, Bertrand Township and Cass County fire departments responded to the scene.

One Niles City firefighter was taken to the hospital with minor burns.