Village of Holly Fire Department Chief Dan Myers took advantage of a recent Fenton City Council meeting to thank the Fenton Fire Department for its efforts in fighting the "Battle Alley Blaze," a five-alarm fire in the afternoon of June 21.
The fire, which spread rapidly and sent six firefighters to the hospital due to high winds and temperatures above 90 degrees, destroyed or severely damaged several businesses, including the Historic Holly Hotel and Battle Alley Arcade Antiques.
Myers presented Fenton Fire Chief Robert Cairnduff with a commemorative challenge coin for every Fenton firefighter. The coin has the logos of the many agencies involved in the battle and its aftermath on one side, and the Holly Fire Department logo next to embossed letters that read "Battle Alley Blaze Five-Alarm Fire."
A challenge coin is a specially designed coin used to signify membership in a group, such as a military unit or a group that has overcome some obstacle.
In presenting Cairnduff with the coins, Myers said "Fenton's department was critical in preventing further spread of the fire" by using a ladder truck to pour water on the Holly Moose Lodge.
Accepting the gift, Cairnduff said that the fire proved the extreme value of interagency ageements that call for departments to help neighborhing departments.
"Holly has helped us in the past, and we're good partners," the chief said.