4 couch fires but no arrests following Wolverines victory over Syracuse
Firefighters said they put out four separate couch fires in Ann Arbor following the University of Michigan's 61-56 defeat of Syracuse Saturday in a Final Four match at the NCAA tournament.
University of Michigan fans rally on the Diag after U-M defeated Syracuse Saturday night in the Final Four of the NCAA basketball tournament. Firefighters said four couches were set on fire after the game.
Fire Chief Chuck Hubbard said he had not seen the incident reports and could not comment.
The blazes caused no other damage or injuries, officials said.
U-M Police made no arrests Saturday night or Sunday morning despite the estimated 1,200 to 1,500 students and revelers who gathered on the Diag to celebrate Michigan's win, spokeswoman Diane Brown said. She planned to have beefed-up staffing Monday, when the Wolverines play Louisville in the National Championship game.
Ann Arbor police said they had no incidents to report.
U-M will host a viewing party for the National Championship game Monday at 7:30 at Crisler Center.
Comments
JB SHOOTER
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:58 p.m.
Sometimes the things little brother is doing are just too much fun to miss out on
RxDx
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:40 p.m.
I have a bad feeling that this is the start of a competition that could go terribly wrong.
263456
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:15 p.m.
Well Michigan sports fans sure are responsible people.
djacks24
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
According to some posters here: Spartans burning couches = classless Wolverines burning couches = cool Double standard
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:48 p.m.
double standard= sports fan. showing my age, you know who didn't think Bill Laimbeer was a dirty player and a flopper? Me and the rest of the Piston fans at the time. Anybody else in America saw it otherwise.
fjord
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:18 p.m.
More like: Spartans burning couches = to be expected Wolverine burning couches = obviously the work of visiting Spartans
Hume
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:03 p.m.
SPARTY ON!!!! oh wait I'm a Wolverine...
mun
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:34 p.m.
Fer cryin' out loud, if you're gonna burn couches, at least wait until after U-M wins the championship!
fjord
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:22 p.m.
Exactly. People don't typically remember the team that loses the championship game. Hold the celebrations until the Wolverines have actually WON something. And win or lose, have some class. You don't need to tip a car over or break a shop window to celebrate (or mourn) your team's performance.
Brad
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:08 p.m.
'U-M Police made no arrests Saturday night or Sunday morning ' Burning pot = arrested Burning sofas = boys will be boys
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.
do people get arrested for smoking pot anymore? Unless its part of a bigger charge? I don't know, I sort of assume its a look the other way kind of thing these days.
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:42 a.m.
were these controlled burns?
Paul
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:31 p.m.
True, true, so what all the harm ?
Arboriginal
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:13 a.m.
I was wondering if the Secrets of Candyland story would ever come out! I love that a story about couch fires has a photo of a couple hugging!
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.
Given the ubiquitous nature of smart phones there has to be pictures and video out there somewhere.
Goober
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:06 a.m.
Tsk, tsk, tsk!It's hard to believe that our precious UM students would do such a thing as burn couches. Interesting that many comments are trying to lay the blame on out-of-town hooligans. Go figure!
Jack Gladney
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 5:45 a.m.
What's with all of the MSU/Spartans comments? This happened in Ann Arbor after a Wolverine victory. People, take some ownership for your own kind. Celebrate the behavior of your fellow Wolverines; the Wal-Mart variety, the Greek Scholars and otherwise.
PineyWoodsGuy
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 3:10 a.m.
Future Leaders. Not. Arson is a very Serious Felony Crime! Wish the leadership of Univ Mich and Campus Cops would put a stop to this. If the Perps are caught, I am totally in favor of sending them to prison. No Excuses. Arson is a prison-sentencable offense, as well it should be.
Adam Schubatis
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:04 p.m.
I'm no lawyer either, but burning a couch doesn't look like it would be arson in Michigan unless the perpetrator has a prior conviction. MCL 750.78 provides for certain "prohibited intentional acts," including intentionally burning: - Personal property worth between $200 and $1000, a misdemeanor which carries up to a year in jail -Personal property worth less than $200, a misdemeanor which carries up to 93 days in jail
kbpie
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:46 p.m.
Classes are done in a few weeks, the couches will probably be out to the curb when they move out anyhow!
Paul
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:30 p.m.
Only in the USA could U get prison time for a harmless couch burning which harmed nobody
Craig Lounsbury
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 11:20 a.m.
I'm no lawyer but Googling "arson" I think its a stretch to call burning a couch in the street arson. Unless the couch is insured and you are trying to defraud the insurer. I am willing to be corrected by an attorney of some sort. Particularly a prosecutor who might suggest they could make an arson case.
JimB
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 2:48 a.m.
Don't forget, after the 1989 championship South U was up in flames as well as broken out store front windows. Those who live in glass houses.........
Usual Suspect
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:30 p.m.
And collapsed roofs even
Krupper1
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:39 a.m.
Eh, how Spartan of you.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 1:31 a.m.
In addition to the couch fires, there was a "lovely display" of a burnt out wheeled garbage can (or "cart") and a nicely laid out (almost classical, like in cartoons) "campfire" on the pavement at the intersection of White Street and McKinley Ave. Together with a burned mattress, these made a lovely Tribute In Soot to our beloved Wolverines Basketball Team. ;-) Or these all might have been originally meant as fires set to advance the cause of "medical marijuana clinics" touted earlier at the "Hash Bash." We're talkin' real credibility establishers here. Whatever, congrats to the Michigan Basketball Team. Go Blue! (But don't Go Arsonist.)
Usual Suspect
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:29 a.m.
"4 couch fires" Leaders and best, dontchaknow.
MRunner73
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 11:01 p.m.
This is not East Lansing. I hope the U of M student don't follow in the steps of MSU.
JimB
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 7:12 p.m.
Must happen more than you realize for the City to create an ordinance against such behavior.
Brad
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 10:11 p.m.
So what's the over/under on couch fires if they win Monday night?
jcj
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:35 p.m.
The under would be a beer can, sock, hair ball and a stale piece of pizza.
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 10:54 p.m.
Lol
An Arborigine
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 9:36 p.m.
Sparty joins the celebration in hallmark style
Rick Stevens
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 9:12 p.m.
Ah, the future leaders of America...
Paul
Mon, Apr 8, 2013 : 12:28 p.m.
Can't be any worst then we had in the past
Brad
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 10:02 p.m.
Leaders and the best ...
tom swift jr.
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 8:51 p.m.
It appears that the police and fire departments have a new "if we don't talk about it, it didn't happen (and won't happen again)" policy.... We'll know if they are successful with that strategy late on Monday, eh?
Poorman
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
Sounds like protestors from out of town.
Candy
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 8:30 p.m.
Too bad we had to stoop as low as that OTHER university in Michigan. Was hoping we were smarter!
MICHAEL
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 9:24 p.m.
Let's not try to be like that other university . let's have some fun and enjoy this with some class I know we are better than that. If you wit me hit me back we don't do that.. This school have too much class for us not to do this. So let us get this victory and show them how it done ok . Go Blue
Homeland Conspiracy
Sun, Apr 7, 2013 : 8:51 p.m.
agent provocateurs sent from E. Lansing