Fire Claims Home Of Several Football Players

A houseful of Michigan football players escaped serious injury early this morning when their three-story residence burned. U-M redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jake Long was reportedly hospitalized for smoke inhalation, while redshirt freshman lineman Adam Kraus suffered minor injuries from jumping out of a second-floor window.

U-M head coach Lloyd Carr expressed relief that no serious injuries occurred in the blaze at the home at 924 Oakland Ave., near downtown Ann Arbor. The fire was first reported around 4 a.m. today.

"We're just thankful everyone is okay," noted a U-M spokesman. "It was a pretty scary scene."

The Michigan coach arrived on the scene with other U-M coaches around 4:45 a.m. Several players left with them, according to police. The residence is also home to U-M players Grant DeBenedictis, Prescott Burgess, Shawn Crable, Brett Gallimore, Will Paul, Max Pollock, Jim Presley, Garrett Rivas and Pat Sharrow.

Investigators were still trying to determine the cause of the fire, which quickly spread from the porch and into the home. At least 12 people were in the house when the fire started.

Carr said the players lost almost all of their clothing, along with computers, schoolbooks and wallets with money and identification in the fire. Some of the veteran players also lost the championship rings awarded to them after previous seasons.

Carr indicated U-M officials are working to help them get a place to stay and some clothes.