Fire damages two units in abandoned Liberty Square complex
Firefighters battle a blaze in Liberty Square on April 21.
Photo courtesy of Ypsilanti Township
Two townhomes were damaged in a fire at the abandoned Liberty Square complex in Ypsilanti Township on Saturday evening.
According to a township official, the fire started in a building on Nancy Street around 7 p.m. and firefighters battled the blaze for around two hours.
Ypsilanti Township Fire Department Chief Eric Copeland said neighbors reported seeing a group of kids in the area just prior to seeing flames.
The fire appeared to start in a pile of debris and garbage outside one of the units, climbed the exterior wall and started the building’s roof on fire, Copeland said.
The complex has 151 continuous units in 17 buildings. Copeland said two units were damaged and called the fire suspicious. He said it remains under investigation, and officials are attempting to locate the kids who were in the area prior to the fire.
Roads leading into the Liberty Square are blocked with guard rails, but Copeland said the department had pre-planned a way into the complex in the event of a fire or other emergency.
The Ypsilanti Township Fire Department received mutual aid from the City of Ypsilanti and Van Buren Township fire departments.
Ypsilanti Township is finalizing a contract with a company to complete an asbestos an environmental study in the complex that is the first step in the demolition process. The township is concurrently seeking federal grants to help pay for what will be a massive demolition project.
Several homeowners have filed an appeal to a Washtenaw Circuit Court judge's order to vacate and demolish the complex.
Comments
lefty48197
Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 5:37 p.m.
This should help the township in their quest to tear this development down. Nevermind that there are lots of unemployed construction workers and contractors in Ypsi Township who would LOVE to go to work rehabilitating these buildings. Not to mention that the pride of owning a condo would lead to a much better living environment than it would in an absentee landlords apartment village.
RJA
Tue, Apr 24, 2012 : 1:33 a.m.
I would rather see the whole complex down, than up.
cybercitizen
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 4:42 p.m.
I say level it with bulldozers as soon as possible! That whole area is going in the same direction as the West Willow area. Wake up Ypsilanti Township officials and get the asbestos removed and get these buildings leveled!
Ron Granger
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 9:52 p.m.
Are you on the level?
nickcarraweigh
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 1:38 a.m.
Something needs to be done about this place before lowlifes completely take it over and turn into a medical marijuana production complex, or a training site for those advocating the overthrow of the duly-elected Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. The best and highest use might well be as an assisted living facility for retired circus poodles and former Sarah Palin campaign workers, although zoning issues may block that dream.
Ann English
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 12:51 a.m.
A pre-planned way into the complex in the event of a fire or other emergency. First I thought of horses, then of helicopters. But firefighting equipment has to be brought in somehow, something horses cannot do. I've heard of police helicopters and boats for firefighters, and the Huron River isn't too far away from Nancy Street. Sounds like letting the complex burn down from this alleged act of arson might dispel hazardous material into the air and ground, even into Ford Lake.
tdw
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
actually the lake ends 1/2 a mile to the west
Mr. Ed
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 10:41 p.m.
Why wast the water. Let it burn let it burn.
Ben Petiprin
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 6:41 p.m.
Firebug season in Ypsilanti.
Ben Petiprin
Mon, Apr 23, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
I was born in Ypsilanti, I'm not trying to disparage anything. All I mean is that seems to be a rash of suspicious fires every year around this time.
stevek
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
@djacks24--How can it be stereotypical? He said there was a firebug in Ypsi. The facts are that there was a very suspicious fire in Ypsi. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't consider Ypsi the Detroit of Washtenaw County. I consider Detroit the Ypsilanti of Wayne County.
djacks24
Sun, Apr 22, 2012 : 9:21 p.m.
Thanks for the typical stereotypical slander against anything Ypsi. Wouldn't be an AnnArbor.com article without a comment that portrays Ypsi as the Detroit of Washtenaw county. Reported your comment but obviously the moderators agree with you.