MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Meridian Township declared a state of emergency in December preceding the ice storm. While some buildings in Meridian Township were out of power for up to 11 days, there were a number of volunteers and employees out in the cold trying to make the situation a little brighter.

"I was up north at the time with my family, and I told them pack up, we're leaving, we're going back home, I'm needed back at Meridian," said Fred Cowper, Meridian Township Fire Chief.

But, the fire chief wasn't the only one who left his family to help out in the cold. Brian Wheeler, a spokesperson for Consumers Energy, said they had more than 70 volunteers guarding down wires until they received appropriate attention.

Township officials also reached out to both Haslett and Okemos schools for a warming shelter.

"Both of them, without hesitation, yes, without hesitation, that makes you feel good, the relationship we have with the schools and how they want to step in and help out," said Dave Hall, the Meridian Township Police Chief.

The township decided to go with Haslett Public Schools because of the central location.

"They had showers cots, people donated food," said Hall.

The warming center had more than 200 people coming in and out over the power outage, and since this was a long term power outage, some people began using fireplaces in their homes. There were 6 house fires on Christmas Eve, alone, in Meridian Township.

"Somebody went to the home from a hotel and started a major fire in the fireplace to try and keep the house warm to heat the pipes," said Cowper. "And they left to go back to the hotel and the fire broke out of the fireplace."

There were no injuries, but the home was destroyed.

"And here you are, Christmas Eve and you have all these people coming here to help and give up time with their families, so I really appreciate everyone's effort," said Cowper.

All of the homes in the Township regained power by New Year's Eve.