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The fire at the Thompson Block in Depot Town, which began early this morning, is being called into question. According to the Ypsilanti fire inspector the cause of the fire seems "suspicious."
After the blaze was under control, city officials including City Manager Ed Koryzno and City Planer Richard Murphy were on the scene with Ypsilanti Fire Inspector John Roe.
Roe said the fire seems suspicious due to the speed in which the building went up in flames after the initial call was made to the department. He also said an investigation would be finished by next week.
A shell is all that remains of the 1861 civil war barracks. The Ypsilanti Fire Department is relieved no fire fighters were hurt in the blaze while the building's owner maintains his commitment to the buildings renovation.
“We're all really happy that no one was hurt, there was lots of room for problems to happen,” said Captain Max Anthouard.
He added, with the structural damage and the integrity of the building in question things could have easily gone horribly wrong.
“There's not much left,” Anthouard said. “[Beal Inc.] are going to try to renovate the facade and save what is left.”
The building’s interior floors have all collapsed down to the basement and the structure is unstable. Supporting the structure from further collapse is left in the hands of the building's owner.
In a formal statement, Stewart Beal owner and president of Beal Properties and Beal Inc., expressed his devastation with the events, adding the Beal Group views this simply as a development set-back. Beal said the company is determined to complete the project. A team of expert architects and engineers will be called in to assess the building and provide Beal with the best course of action.
As of now, Anthouard said there is still a bit of burning material in the basement of the building. He also said the fire department will go out every three hours or so and pour more water as needed.
The fire itself began at 1:38 a.m., according to the Ypsilanti Fire Department. Firefighters from five different departments were called into assist.
“We had tremendous help from all the surrounding fire departments,” Anthouard said.
He also said they would not have been able to get the fire under control without the added support.
Departments from Ann Arbor, Pittsfield, Superior and Ypsilanti Township were on site fighting the blaze. It took six hours to get the fire under control.
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