Goodrich – The cause for an M-15 party store blaze that ignited twice this week remains undetermined.
Atlas Township Firefighters were alerted to a working structure fire around 8:45 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Family Party Store, located at 8168 S. State Road in Goodrich.
With business slow that evening, owner Chris Valente closed early, approximately 30 minutes before the fire was reported, said Atlas fire chief Jim Naugler.
About 15 Atlas firefighters responded to the call. Brandon and Davison fire departments also provided tankers and manpower, he said.
The fire took approximately an hour to get under control. Firefighters left the scene at approximately 11:30 p.m., and were alerted that the fire had rekindled at 5:37 a.m.
‘It was worse than the first time,’said Naugler, who again contacted the Brandon and Davison fire departments for help.
Interior and exterior damage is estimated at nearly $100,000, Naugler said, with damage more extensive on the northwest interior wall and heat damage throughout the building.
Sgt. Kathy Taylor, fire marshal from the Michigan State Police Flint Post, surveyed the scene Dec. 15, along with Sgt. Jeff Boyer of the Saginaw post. The cause of the blaze is undetermined.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture will inspect the store’s food items, said Naugler.
M-15 was blocked off between approximately 8:45 and 11:15 p.m., and again at 5:40 a.m. while firefighters battled the blaze, said Genesee County Sheriff Patrol Sgt. Dave McDonald.