CWG fire investigation begins, cause not yet known
Maria Schmitt
Issue date: 11/19/09 Section: News
Michigan State Police Fire Marshall Ken Hersha began his investigation Monday of the fire that destroyed Chicago Water Grill and part of May's Furniture in Jonesville, Mich. Sunday night.
Investigation of the fire's source and cause could take up to a few weeks, Jonesville Fire Department Chief Dean Adair told The Collegian Monday.
"He just began his preliminary investigation today," Adair said of Hersha. "He will get more in depth tomorrow."
Investigators from various insurance companies will also begin working on the scene. Investigators will work independently and submit their own reports, Adair said.
"We hope they'll all say the same thing," he said.
Hersha was unavailable for comment by phone Monday.
Officials are hoping for the possibility of security camera records or an eyewitness to help pinpoint the fire's cause.
At this point, Adair said he won't speculate the cause of the fire.
"There's a whole range of possibilities," he said. "Your imagination can run wild with all of it. I never, ever speculate."
Estimates on damage to the buildings are not yet available.
"I couldn't even begin to guess," Adair said.
May's Furniture housed furniture that the business had been accumulating and selling since it opened in 1950.
In total, 10 fire departments showed up Sunday night to battle the blaze, coming from as far as Coldwater, Moscow and Somerset.
The fire was totally in control at 10 p.m., Adair said.
"At that point we knew it wasn't going anywhere," he said.
Joe Kesselring, 23, was a cook at the Chicago Water Grill.
He estimated the restaurant had 20-30 employees.
As of Monday afternoon, he said restaurant managers had spoken to owner Wayne Babcock and that he was on his way back to Michigan from London.
Babcock could not be reached for comment Monday.
Investigation of the fire's source and cause could take up to a few weeks, Jonesville Fire Department Chief Dean Adair told The Collegian Monday.
"He just began his preliminary investigation today," Adair said of Hersha. "He will get more in depth tomorrow."
Investigators from various insurance companies will also begin working on the scene. Investigators will work independently and submit their own reports, Adair said.
"We hope they'll all say the same thing," he said.
Hersha was unavailable for comment by phone Monday.
Officials are hoping for the possibility of security camera records or an eyewitness to help pinpoint the fire's cause.
At this point, Adair said he won't speculate the cause of the fire.
"There's a whole range of possibilities," he said. "Your imagination can run wild with all of it. I never, ever speculate."
Estimates on damage to the buildings are not yet available.
"I couldn't even begin to guess," Adair said.
May's Furniture housed furniture that the business had been accumulating and selling since it opened in 1950.
In total, 10 fire departments showed up Sunday night to battle the blaze, coming from as far as Coldwater, Moscow and Somerset.
The fire was totally in control at 10 p.m., Adair said.
"At that point we knew it wasn't going anywhere," he said.
Joe Kesselring, 23, was a cook at the Chicago Water Grill.
He estimated the restaurant had 20-30 employees.
As of Monday afternoon, he said restaurant managers had spoken to owner Wayne Babcock and that he was on his way back to Michigan from London.
Babcock could not be reached for comment Monday.
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