Groveland Twp. – A fire at a residence that’s part of the Dirty’s Bar property was investigated last week.
Troopers from the Groveland post of the Michigan State Police responded to a 911 call from a resident in the 15000 block of Dixie Highway.
The resident and his wife reported returning home at around 12:30 a.m. July 26 from an evening out with friends to find an orange glow in the house, which was too hot to enter.
Upon arrival, troopers noticed the dull orange glow through the home’s picture window, with smoke beginning to escape through the eaves.
The house was evacuated, including the dog, reported troopers, who turned the situation over to the Groveland Township Fire Department and fire investigators from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.
Firefighters were on the scene within minutes, said fire chief Steve McGee, who estimates the effects of heat and smoke resulted in $20,000 worth of damage.
The owner had been painting the interior of the rental house, preparing to sell it along with Dirty’s Bar, which is being sold in compliance with an order from the Michigan State Liquor Commission.
A preliminary investigation indicated the sole source of ignition was near the living room sofa.
Detective Jim Lehtola of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene to investigate.
‘We can’t eliminate the careless use of smoking materials,? said Lehtola.