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LAURIUM -- Early Tuesday morning a house on Pewabic Street went up in flames.

Firefighters from Calumet Village, Calumet Township, and Laurium Village were all on hand to battle the blaze.

But according to many in the tight knit community of Laurium, if it was not for one man’s heroic efforts, the family of four who were sleeping inside may not be alive today.

“By the time I got to their house which was a matter of 10 to 15 seconds, the whole entire garage was engulfed in flames. The flames were 10 to 20 feet above the garage. I went into the house and immediately I saw the 16-year-old occupant sleeping,” said Goulette.

“I woke him up and got him out of the house. I told him to go to my house and then proceeded upstairs where I knew the other occupants were sleeping. I was yelling and screaming as loud as I could for them to get out. I got the woman and the child, a 2-year-old, out and the other occupant,” Goulette said.  

According to Goulette the house was filled with smoke and he said he saved the family out of instinct.  

Officials believe it was an electrical fire that started in the garage from one of the family’s cars.

The flames quickly spread to the neighboring house which was vacant. The house is now blocked off with tape and Laurium firefighters returned to the scene Wednesday.

“We found a couple of hotspots we’re going to put some water on it just to take care of those,” said Laurium Fire Chief Dan Mukavetz.

Officials said the home is a total loss but the community has already donated clothing and other supplies for the family of four.

The family asks you drop-off your donations to Dave and Luann Bastian at 437 Pewabic Street in Laurium.