PENNFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — While a fire that destroyed a market near Battle Creek remains under investigation, officials say they have spoken to kids who were playing with fireworks nearby.
There were two fires at Bailey Park Thriftway on Capital Avenue near Eaton Street in Pennfield Township Saturday, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office says. Around 6:30 p.m., firefighters were sent to a report of an explosion and dumpster fire. They quickly doused it and left. Then, around 7:20 p.m., they were called again to the market because the building was on fire.
‘It’s a shame’: Community reflects on loss of Battle Creek-area market
Multiple departments were called in to help fight the fire. Photos released by the Bedford Township Fire Department showed flames and heavy smoke rising from the roof. The Pennfield Township fire chief told News 8 that crews remained on the scene for more than 10 hours, their work complicated by the fact that the roof was built over another roof due to the age of the building and the fire was within those layers.
On Sunday, after the fire was out, a News 8 crew saw a hole in the roof and part of the siding was melted away.
The sheriff’s office said in a Monday release that its detectives and the Michigan State Police fire marshal were called in to investigate because there were two fires back-to-back. Investigators got a tip that juveniles had been playing with fireworks nearby and say they identified the people in question…