Woman Calls Motorized Fire Trucks on Mackinac Island ‘Hypocrisy’

The Mackinac Island Fire Department was called into action early Tuesday (10/3) morning after a small fire broke out at the Grand Hotel around 5:00 a.m.

By the sounds of it, the fire was under control and extinguished before the Mackinac Island Fire Department had arrived.

See Also: The Worst Wildfire in MI's History Destroyed Over 2,500,000 Acres

Mackinac Island Fire Department:

At 5:09am units responded to a Box Alarm at 7988 West Bluff The Grand Hotel, for a report of a kitchen fire. Units arrived to find a moderate smoke condition in the kitchen area of Grand Hotel and a fire that had been extinguished upon arrival. Units checked for extension and remained on scene to help vent the smoke out of the building. Units cleared in roughly 45 minutes.

After hearing about the story and noticing fire trucks parked outside of the Grand Hotel, a woman on Facebook said, "Why are there motorized fire engines there? What hypocrisy."

No Motor Vehicles Allowed on Mackinac Island

As most Michiganders are aware, motorized vehicles are not allowed on Mackinac Island. As a matter of fact, Mackinac Island is celebrating the 125th anniversary of the ban on motor vehicles, which was enacted in 1898. However, for safety reasons, there is a police car, fire trucks, and an ambulance on the island.

Apparently, the woman feels they should throw those safety concerns out the window and attempt putting out a fire with a horse and buggy and buckets of water.

As you can imagine, most people were not happy with the woman's comment.

Facebook User:

 r u kidding?...safety first.It would be ignorant not to protect the island with modern technology...you see Maui go up in flames?...those historic buildings are kindling ...for sure!

Facebook User:

For safety just like they have an ambulance, come on!

Facebook User:

really. How stupid.

After a number of other comments by people who thought her comment was way out of line, the woman had this to say: "rules are rules. Js"

It's pretty amazing what some people are willing to say on social media.

We applaud Mackinac Island for having motorized safety vehicles for scenarios just like this one.