Fire forces evacuation of Battle Creek Police Department building

Kalea Hall | Battle Creek Enquirer

The Battle Creek Fire Department responded to a fire at the Battle Creek Police Department building on Division Street shortly before 4 p.m. Friday.

Mulch caught fire and got sucked into a vent in the ground at the back of the police department above a garage, said Police Lt. Doug Bagwell.

Police don't know how the mulch caught fire, but, inside the vent, it ignited a two-by-four, the department said in a statement released Friday evening. The fire filled the basement of the building and a portion of the main floor with smoke.

The building was evacuated as firefighters worked to find the source of the fire. Workers were able to return after crews ventilated the building.

No one was injured in the fire.

Contact Kalea Hall at (269) 966-0697 or khall@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow her on Twitter at @bykaleahall