08/18/2026
- Yesterday afternoon, your City of Niles Firefighters were dispatched to the 200 block of N. 7th Street for a reported working residential fire.
Upon arrival, Fire Marshal 67 found a two-story residential structure with heavy fire showing from the Alpha side (front) and reports of four occupants still inside.
Niles Fire crews immediately went into rescue mode. Crews successfully performed a VES (Vent-Enter-Search) rescue, locating and removing an individual from the second-story bedroom window. Two other occupants were able to evacuate themselves from the home.
Niles Township Squad 14 made an aggressive fire attack on the first floor and was also able to rescue 3 cats from the residence.
Unfortunately, there was one fatality in the incident. The fire remains under investigation, and no further details are available at this time.
Responding Departments; Thank you - Niles Township Local 2428, Howard Firefighters, Buchanan City Fire, and Southwestern Michigan Community Ambulance Service.