HYDE - The cause of a blaze that destroyed a vacant house in Ford River Township early this morning remains under investigation.
According to Ford River Township Fire Chief Jon Giese, members of the Ford River Fire Department were called to the scene on U.S. 2 & 41, directly across from the Highland Golf Course at 12:50 a.m.
The fire had been reported to Central Dispatch by a nearby resident after hearing a loud explosion. The caller notified authorities of the fire after driving to the scene and finding the vacant home ablaze.
When firefighters arrived, the house, owned by Casimer Zappia, was fully engulfed in flames, with firefighters remaining on the scene until just after 5 a.m. today.
According to Giese the house had once belonged to Zappia's father and was most currently being used for storage.
"Most of the damage to the structure occurred prior to our arrival on the scene," said Giese. "At this time there is no indication of an ignition source or cause of a propane gas leak which resulted in the explosion prior to our arrival."
Giese said when firefighters arrived the structure had completely collapsed and was fully engulfed in flames.
He also said a propane tank was located by firefighters at the rear of the building with a gas line running into it.
"Being that the investigation is in a preliminary state we do not know what caused the propane gas leak. I will be conducting an investigation and may also be calling in the
Michigan State Police Fire Marshall as part of the investigation," he said.
Providing assistance at the scene were Escanaba Public Safety, Delta County Sheriff's deputies, and Rampart EMS.
"While I am not sure of the total amount of water used to battle this fire and keeping it from spreading, I can say a large amount was used in containing this fire and eventually extinguishing it," said Giese.
