The Metz Fire of 1908
In the late morning of October 15, the Metz Fire of 1908 started somewhere west of Millersburg, Michigan. By evening, 37 people were dead. The village of Metz was a charred and smoking ruin. And 134 families – about 700 people – were suddenly homeless.
Because of the extent of the losses at Metz, the fire quickly came to be referred to as “The Metz Fire,” but it devastated an area well beyond the boundaries of the little farming and lumbering village. Propelled by gale force winds, the fire spread to the northern reaches of Presque Isle County. It threatened the county seat at Rogers City, burned to the outskirts of the City of Alpena, and jumped across Grand Lake before it finally burned itself out at the Lake Huron shore.
Here are some of the stories from one of Michigan’s deadliest and most destructive wildfires.

In Metz Township - A Train Derails Amidst the Flames

“Father’s Refusal to Leave Home Saved the Lives of His Children," The Detroit News, October 1908.


The Fire Burns Beyond Metz Township
The fire raged eastward toward Grand Lake, where the Lapczinsky family were staying. The fire jumped the lake and burnt eastward to the Lake Huron shore, but they were still alive. Presumed dead for days, the Alpena News reported that they’d been found alive:
"Family of Four Turns Up After Being Missing a Week," The Alpena News, October 22, 1908"
Mourning and Rebuilding: The Aftermath of the 1908 Metz Fire
“Sunday, I buried, at one funeral service, ten of the members of our church who died in the fire. It was a strange worship service, which I conducted with a loudly sobbing congregation alongside a church in ashes, conducted over open graves. I never experienced such despair in my whole life. At first, I could not even begin. I leaned against a lonely standing fence post and wept, perhaps the first time since I was a child.” – Pastor Ernest Thieme, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church

"Gov. Warner Describes Trip Thro’ Fire District,” The Detroit News, October 21, 1908
PLYMOUTH, Mich., Oct. 20 —“The people in the burned district need food, lumber and hay most of all,” declared Gov. Warner this morning, on his return from the northern fire-stricken region. Sunday the governor went up to Alpena, joined Gen. Rogers and Supt. Luce of the D&M railway, and made a tour by special train, an engine and one coach, Monday. He had to miss his scheduled meetings in Washtenaw County yesterday, but got back in time today to take up his Monroe County meetings on time.
“The fire victims, up north,” said the governor, “will be flooded with clothing. Alpena alone has already supplied half enough clothing to supply all who need it.
“According to best estimates there are about 200 destitute families around Metz. As most of the families are large, this means from 1,200 to 1,500 persons.

Hope Amongst the Ashes
In the face of adversity, the victims of this Presque Isle County wildfire pulled together and supported one another.
"Found His First Clothes Ready," The Detroit News, October 21, 1908
The 1908 Metz Fire: By the Numbers
From the report of the State Fire Relief Commission, February 1, 1909
- 730 adults
- 162 children over 16
- 959 children under 16
- 990 adults
- 1,774 children