A fire at a Washington Township apartment complex Wednesday morning may be related to a blaze in the same building the day before that was extinguished before it spread, according to township Fire Chief Brian Tyrell.

Firefighters from several departments responded to the second fire at about 6:15 a.m. Wednesday at the Stoney Creek Apartments, located at Van Dyke Avenue and 27 Mile Road after a smaller number of firefighters responded to reported blaze at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Tyrell said.

Tyrell said the obvious connection is “troublesome” but the incidents are under investigation.

“It’s troublesome when we have to run back to the same building,” he said. “It (the second blaze) occurred in the exact same building” in the complex.

The second blaze appears to have destroyed the two-level, eight-unit apartment building, Tyrell said. Residents of four units that were occupied escaped uninjured, he said. Four units were vacant, he said.A firefighter was hospitalized for a back injury that appeared to be minor, Tyrell said.

The township has initiated a donation drive to collect items for the displaced residents. Needed items include non-perishable food, clothing, blankets, toys, pet food, gift cards and other essentials. Donations can be dropped of at the township hall at 57900 Van Dyke and placed in bins located at the supervisor’s office.

The cause of the first fire may have been incense that was burning and left unattended in a second-floor unit, Tyrell said. The cause of the second, more damaging fire was unknown but started on the second floor or in the attic, he said.

It was put out within “a couple of hours,” Tyrell said, adding, “It’s sad that it extended into the other apartments in the building.”

The second floor and attic were severely damaged by the fire while the first floor was damaged by water and smoke, he said.

Tyrell reported township firefighters were assisted by firefighters from Bruce Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Shelby Township and Macomb Township. About 25 firefighters in all responded.

Washington Township Supervisor Sebastian “Sam” Previti commended township firefighters and emergency medical services personnel for responding “heroically, working tirelessly through the night to contain the fire and ensure the safety of residents. Their bravery and dedication to our community do not go unnoticed, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their efforts.”

The blaze was the second apartment fire in the county in four days. A fire Sunday night at the Manors of Knollwood Apartments complex on 19 Mile Road, west of Romeo Plank Road, in Clinton Township, displaced a family. The blaze was contained and no one was injured.