The cross on St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church peeks out from behind the plume of smoke from a St. Ignace Fire Department training exercise Wednesday evening, May 17. St. Ignace Fire Department got a rare opportunity to conduct a live-fire training exercise Wednesday evening, May 17, in a Spring Street building that was being demolished.

The entire volunteer department of about 30 firefighters took turns entering the building and extinguishing small fires set inside the former rental house across the street from the St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic Church, which owns the property. The church is planning to use the property to expand its parking lot.

"It helped us train for interior fire attack operations and to understand how fires react in compact areas," said Bryce Tracey, the department's sergeant. "We don't get that many opportunities to use a house for fire training very often."

Mr. Tracey said firefighters practiced different techniques in extinguishing fires. They also had the opportunity to use the department's new thermal imaging equipment, which helps firefighters determine where hot spots are in dark or smoky areas.

Firefighter John Krentz displays how tough firefighting can be inside a building as his helmet, mask, and uniform are covered in debris, ash, and water just after he exits the scene.