Officials think youths started Ypsilanti Township grass fire
Fire officials think a grass fire in the 1200 block of Holmes Road in Ypsilanti Township was set by a group of youths.
The Ypsilanti Township Fire Department was dispatched to a field behind the Oakridge Apartments at 4:27 p.m. Tuesday. Capt. Larry James said about an acre was burning.
"It was running to the east," he said.
Firefighters from Ypsilanti Township and Superior Township had the blaze under control before it could damage any structures, James said.
"It was a set grass fire," he added. "Some youths lit it. We found some charcoal fluid and some cigarette lighters."
James went on to say he didn't think they lit the whole field on fire on purpose, but that people need to be careful given the severe heat and dry conditions.
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause of the fire and questioning suspects.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Nancy Corfman
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 7:16 p.m.
Bored? No supervision? No proper mentoring? Where's the knowing RIGHT from WRONG?!?! Those that deliberately set the fire need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If they are juveniles, then their parents need to be prosecuted as well! There have been fireworks going off from behind those apartments for 3 weeks and continue. I should know...I live across the street and am tired of not being able to sleep! Find me the parents and I'll charge them for a few night's in a hotel so I can catch up on my Zzzzz's.
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 4:08 p.m.
The National Grass Fire Club approves this message. ;-)
swcornell
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 12:49 p.m.
More likely youth's that are bored with little or no supervision and certainly no proper mentoring. Have them join the Boy Scouts so they can get all these things!
Sallyxyz
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 12:32 a.m.
"It was a set grass fire," he added. "Some youths lit it. We found some charcoal fluid and some cigarette lighters." James went on to say he didn't think they lit the whole field on fire on purpose, but that people need to be careful given the severe heat and dry conditions. This is arson. Find the perps and prosecute. It doesn't matter whether or not they intended to light the whole field. They started a fire illegally and need to be caught and arrested for arson. End of story.
In doubt
Wed, Jul 18, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
Anyone setting a fire delibertly in this heat needs the book thrown at them. I am talking prison. For our firefighters to have to fight a fire the way they have to dress and in this heat that is surely jepordizing their lives. It is horrible in the cases that are accidental, but to do that to them delibertly is just plain ruthless and cruel. I pray they catch who did this.