By Jennie Miller
C & G Staff Writer

LATHRUP VILLAGE — A possible lightning strike and subsequent fire have destroyed the “House in the Woods,” a historical symbol of Lathrup Village.

The disaster occurred at 6:20 a.m. on June 19 at 19600 Forest Drive. Three people, believed to be descendants of the city’s matriarch, Annie Lathrup, were reportedly inside and escaped unharmed. The house, which was built in 1924 and was the site of the first Lathrup Village City Hall, suffered a collapsed roof and extensive fire and smoke damage. It is believed to have been completely destroyed.

The early morning storm shook southeastern Michigan, but thunder from one bolt of lightning in particular awoke many in the area of the House in the Woods.

“It blew the windows out,” reported Lathrup Village City Administrator Jeff Mueller, who was on the scene as firefighters fought to put out the blaze. He said neighbors had heard the sound of what they assumed was the house being struck by lightning.

“When our guys got here, three occupants had exited themselves, and the second story was engulfed to the point that we could not attack the interior of the house,” said Southfield Fire Chief Peter Healy, whose department handles firefighting duties for Lathrup Village. “Fortunately, it occurred during a shift change, and we had (all our guys) respond. We had five pumper trucks and the aerial tower, four life support units, an ambulance, the squad truck and command car.”

West Bloomfield Fire Department personnel took the helm at Southfield fire headquarters, fulfilling a mutual aid agreement.

Fire vehicles lined Morningside Plaza throughout the morning as firefighters broke down the fire and secured the area, despite a few setbacks.

“When we began our operation, a water main broke — it was an old main,” the chief said. “We used a new main across the street. There were no problems — it was a quick changeover.”

Firefighters also discovered a live wire downed by a fallen tree in the back of the house, which presented a dangerous situation for firefighters, and the power was cut.

“There was a wire down in the back the boys had to contend with through the brush, and that always presents a hazard,” Healy said. “It’s a miracle nobody did step on it. There is 360 degrees of vegetation around the house. It’s like a jungle out there.”

Additionally, the construction of the historic house, with its plaster walls, proved difficult for firefighters to break through.

Spot fires were still popping up some four hours after the first call came into the station. Firefighters were hacking away at the slate roof, trying to get at the hot spots.

Neighbors and city officials milled about Morningside Plaza, astonished at the loss to the community and the family.

“The way it was hit, the family is fortunate they were able to get out — they got out with whatever was on their backs,” said Lathrup Village Mayor Frank Brock, adding that they were collecting themselves at another family member’s home on Saratoga. “It’s obviously a loss — it’s kind of a symbol of our city. In the early days of the city, everything happened there. It’s a historic symbol, not only for our city, but architecturally. It was a very beautiful structure. It’s too bad to lose it.”

Jerry Stone, a former city administrator in Lathrup Village, was also at the scene, remembering when city business was still conducted at the House in the Woods, and he spoke of his office in the library that overlooked the garden.

“I’m sorry to see it all go,” Stone said.

Firefighters were able to save a few pieces of historic records and a piece of artwork, to the surprise and relief of gathered officials like Keith Brown, a member of the city’s Planning Commission and Historical Society.

The home’s significance was not lost on anyone at the scene.

“This is the kind of house that belongs in Greenfield Village,” Healy said. “They just don’t make houses like this anymore. It’s a shame to lose it.”

The home, which once sat on 6.5 acres of land before the Lathrups began to develop the area, was a 10,600-square-foot structure, with seven bedrooms, five full baths, two half baths, five fireplaces, and an attached three-car, 760-square-foot garage.

You can reach Staff Writer Jennie Miller at jmiller@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1108.