The Escanaba Public Safety Department was dispatched at approximately 4:16 a.m. after receiving reports of a stove fire. Upon arrival, officers observed heavy smoke filling the upper apartment of the building, according to an EPSD news release.

Fire crews quickly deployed attack lines to extinguish flames in the kitchen area of the upper apartment. Personnel remained on scene for approximately three and a half hours to ensure the fire was fully contained and to complete overhaul operations.

Both the upper and lower apartments sustained fire, smoke and water damage as a result of the incident.

One resident was transported to St. Francis Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The resident’s cat was taken to the Delta County Animal Shelter and will remain there until the owner is released from the hospital.

Upper-story windows are seen broken after a house fire that started on a stove Sunday morning. (R. R. Branstrom)

Assisting agencies included the Ford River Township Fire Department, Rampart EMS, Delta County Central Dispatch, Escanaba City Electrical, DTE Energy and the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.