KENT COUNTY, Mich. -- A Caledonia father says his family went into instant survival mode Sunday when they were forced to rush out of their home during a fire.
The homeowner, Jason Nagel said he and his wife were able to get their children and dog out safely. He told FOX 17 he's thankful their smoke detectors gave them the jump they needed. He was in in bed when he said his wife heard the alarms.
Nagel said he got up and saw his garage engulfed in flames.
The flames and smoke were so intense they singed a neighbor's tree and melted the side panels on their house. Nagel said he's thankful for the overwhelming support he and his family have received from the community following the fire.
"We have a wonderful church family and neighborhood that's rallied around us," Nagel said, "And that's the great stuff. This can all be replaced. It's just stuff."
Firefighters understand the blaze likely started in the garage, but the exact cause is still unknown. The Nagels plan to rebuild their home and hope to stay in their neighborhood.
