Ypsilanti firefighters extinguish small fire at abandoned factory

by John Mulcahy | The Ann Arbor News

Wednesday May 13, 2009, 5:38 PM

Ypsilanti firefighters quickly extinguished a small fire in an abandoned factory building at 103 S. River Street at about 5 p.m. today.

Callers alerted firefighters to smoke coming out of the windows of the building. Fire Chief Jon Ichesco said crews found as small fire in a former office area on the second floor.

Fire officials believe someone using the building for shelter probably started the fire to keep warm since there's no gas or electric service to the building, Ichesco said.

The Ann Arbor Fire Department also responded under an agreement with the city of Ypsilanti. Mutual aid also was requested from the townships of Superior, Pittsfield and Ypsilanti because the water mains to the area of the building are severed.

The building is in the Water Street redevelopment area, and the water mains were severed when it appeared the buildings would be torn down, Ichesco said.