COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The building that used to be the home of Coldwater Recreation Lanes at 559 East Chicago Street was destroyed in a massive Wednesday morning fire.
A demolition project was already underway at the former bowling alley which shut down earlier this year. A Dairy Queen restaurant will eventually be constructed on the site.
The probable cause of the fire is still under investigation according to a press release issued by the Coldwater Fire Department.
Coldwater fire officials say they got multiple calls about the well-involved fire just after 5:00 a.m..
Coldwater firefighters were forced to fight the flames from a defensive position as the fire consumed the building.
A second alarm was called that brought the ladder truck from Quincy and Bronson’s Aerial unit to the scene.
Traffic on U.S. 12 between Michigan Avenue and Willowbrook Road was totally shut down until mid morning.
No injuries were reported. It took over three hours to put out all of the flames. Smoke from the smoldering ruins could still be seen several hours after the fire was reported.
Also at the scene were Life Care Ambulance, Coldwater Police, the Michigan State Police and the Branch County Sheriff’s Department Victim Services Unit.
All units cleared the scene at 3:15 p.m., over ten hours after the fire was reported.
No damage was reported at the nearby building to the east which houses Family Video and Cottage Inn Pizza.
