On July 10, 2010, at about 4:43 am, officers from the Petoskey Department of Public Safety responded to a 911 dispatch of a fire located in Bay Harbor, at 6774 N. Preserve Drive. Officers responded and found the 18,000 square foot structure heavily involved with fire. Mutual aid was requested, and firefighting operations commenced immediately. Firefighters from Resort-Bear Creek and Springvale Townships assisted. The fire was brought under control at about 6:51 am. The structure was heavily damaged, with extensive fire, heat, and smoke damage. Firefighters remained on scene all day putting out hot spots and investigating the circumstances of the fire. Public Safety Officers will remain on scene until there is no further threat of rekindles. The Michigan State Police Fire Marshall Unit is assisting with the investigation.
The homeowners at 6774 N. Preserve Drive hosted a party on the evening of July 9, 2010 with approximately 150 people in attendance. After the party, 11 people stayed at the home with the intention of spending the night. According to interviews conducted by Public Safety Officers, one guest smelled smoke at about 4 am. The occupants of the home checked around and did not locate any smoke or fire. The residents did not call 911 at that time. About 40 minutes later, the smell of smoke grew stronger in the home, and one of the occupants checked further, and found an active fire burning in the structure. They then called 911. Everyone in the home was able to exit without incident. There were no injuries reported.
Time line:
04:39:32-CCE receives call from alarm company
04:41:32-CCE receives a call from the residents at 6774 N. Preserve Drive reporting a fire
04:43:51-CCE sends tone/page to Petoskey DPS on the report of a fire
04:44:51-Petoskey DPS unit 3421 calls en-route to location
04:46:23-PDPS unit 4503 calls en-route to scene
04:50:26-Unit 3421 arrives on scene and reports structure heavily involved
04:55:05-Fire Unit 4503 checks in on-scene
06:51:54-fire is deemed under control by Incident Commander
The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation. The Petoskey Department of Public Safety will be working with the State Fire Marshall Unit in that investigation.