6 Departments Battle Sunday Morning Fire at Harrison Eagles

HARRISON – The Harrison Community Fire Department received two calls just after 5 a.m. Sunday, July 5. The first was a truck fire north of Harrison. While responding to that call, firefighter Barry Wallace noticed smoke coming out of the Harrison Eagles Club on Townline Lake Road and called in the incident.

The fire was large enough to call for mutual aid, which resulted in assistance from the Clare Fire Department, Gladwin Rural Urban Fire Department, Garfield Township, Roscommon Township and Surrey Township. While most of the structure is a complete loss, the departments’ efforts saved the club office. File cabinets, plaques and other items were salvaged at the scene.

By mid-morning Cody Beemer of Beemer’s Sand and Gravel was assisting to find hot spots and move debris with an excavator. A club member himself, Beemer lamented he could not save his favorite bar stool.

Several members and supporters of the club stopped by in shock and shed a few tears over the loss. Club officers were also on the scene speaking often with Harrison Fire Chief Chris Damvelt. Firefighters were onsite for 7 hours, spent 3 hours doing cleanup and dispensed some 250,000 gallons of water.

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.