David Alves

Muskegon Heights Fire Chief David Alves said flames could be seen shooting out the back of the home in the area of the hot water heater when firefighters arrived.

"It was a total loss," said Muskegon Heights Fire Chief David Alves of the home at 2237 Howden.

Alves said the 12:57 a.m. fire started in the basement of the home when the residents were gone.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, Alves said.

It was not clear whether the home was insured, he said.

The layoffs will reduce the city's fire department to 10 fire fighters, not including Fire Chief David Alves.

Dave Alves Camp Director Muskegon Heights Fire Dept.

• David Alves, Firefighter, MFR, Muskegon Heights Fire Dept.

Muskegon Heights Fire Chief Dave Alves, not wanting to be outdone by North Muskegon's Fire Department, showing up with their hovercraft and Muskegon Counties HAZMAT vehicle, displayed their 142 Aerial (with a ladder that extends 103 feet) and their truck number 121 (their main front-line pumper) at G&L on Sherman.

Authorities in Florida say they have no plans to extradite Muskegon Heights Fire Chief David Alves on a decades-old probation violation warrant stemming from a drug offense that originally involved 18 ...