Monthly Archives: March 2026

Firefighters from 10 area departments joined the Jackson Fire Department in Friday night’s response.  JTV photo. (March 13, 2026 7:28 PM ET) The City of Jackson, United Way of South Central Michigan, and the Center for Family Health are among the organizations offering support for families impacted by the Reed Manor fire on Friday night. Additionally, the community is being asked to help with financial donations and with items needed by apartment residents. The fire severely damaged Reed Manor Building I, leaving one person dead, several injured and 69 families displaced. UWSCMI is collecting financial donations and serving as a collection center for items being requested. The effort is in collaboration with City of Jackson officials, emergency response teams and nonprofits in Jackson County. “The families affected by this fire lost so much in an instant,” said Bethany Stutzman, Senior Director of Community Impact. “We are grateful for the many partners stepping up so quickly to provide critical support. Together we’re making sure these families won’t face recovery alone.” UWSCMI will collect items starting Saturday, March 14. Items can be dropped off at 536 N. Jackson St. each day through Thursday, March 19, noon to 4 p.m., or on Friday,…

JTV photos. (March 13, 2026 11:03 AM ET) The Jackson Fire Department issued the following press release this morning: At approximately 10:00 p.m. on March 12, 2026, the Jackson Fire Department (JFD) and mutual aid partners responded to a first-alarm fire at Reed Manor I after multiple 911 calls reported smoke and flames. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a three-story apartment complex with heavy black smoke and active fire showing from the third floor. Multiple occupants were reported trapped, with several residents observed hanging from windows and unable to exit the building. Fire crews immediately initiated rescue operations. Firefighters deployed ladders to third-floor windows while additional crews conducted interior searches to locate and remove trapped occupants. An estimated 15 residents were rescued from third-floor windows or removed from the building by firefighters. Simultaneously, crews conducted an aggressive, coordinated fire suppression operation to slow the fire's spread while rescue efforts were underway. This coordinated approach allowed firefighters to keep the fire contained while rescue crews safely removed trapped occupants from the structure. “This is a tragic event for our community, and our thoughts are with the family and residents affected,” said Fire Chief Tim Gonzales. “However, without the rapid and heroic actions…