Sterling Heights

Arson possible in Knights Inn fire

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

Authorities are investigating whether a July 19 fire at the Knights Inn on 17 Mile, west of Van Dyke, was an act of arson.

According to Sterling Heights Interim Fire Chief Chris Martin, the engine company from Fire Station No. 1, directly across the street from the motel, was already on a run when the call came in at 6:31 a.m.

Three off-duty firefighters were using the workout facility prior to their shift, he said, and “when the run came in, they looked out and … they could see the flames from the station.”

The trio boarded an auxiliary engine to respond to the blaze, which was in an unoccupied unit, said Martin. He said the individual who had been staying in that room had checked out earlier that morning, but the units on either side were occupied.

The crew was able to extinguish the fire, he said, and no one was injured.

The cause remained officially undeclared as of July 20: “It’s under investigation right now because there’s a possibility that there was an accelerant used,” said Martin.

He said samples taken from the scene are under review, and it might be another week or two before the fire marshal and police can definitively determine whether the fire was intentionally set.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.