LENNON, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Fire broke out for the second time in three months in Lennon across the street from the police department. Abandoned buildings were again the site of a structure fire around 6:45 a.m. on Sunday, February 19th at a former hardware store in downtown Lennon in an area of abandoned buildings that includes the former Lennon Supermarket and a bank office.
The Venice Twp Fire Department consists of 25 firefighters with only two engines, one rescue unit and one tanker and they thanked the many fire departments that came to their assistance to put out the flames including the Swartz Creek Area Fire Department, Hazelton Township Fire Department, Vernon Twp. Fire Dept., Corunna Caledonia FD, Durand Fire Department, Gaines Twp. FD, Owosso Charter Twp Fire Dept., Burns Twp Fire Dept., Perry Area Fire Dept., Laingsburg Fire Dept. and Shiawassee Twp.
A previous fire happened in the same area of Lennon where the abandoned buildings sit on November 7th. Fences were erected after the fire.
The community has been trying to get rid of the abandoned buildings for a while and it appears that the fire might have done part of their job for them.
According to an MLive story a few weeks ago, “officials for the village and Shiawassee County are pushing ahead with plans to use a $75K grant from the Michigan State Land Authority to take down a former hardware store with a damaged roof and failed foundation…and hope that two adjoining properties in the same block – a former bank office and supermarket – can also be torn town after years of decay and neglect.”
In the grant, Shiawassee County had said that the former hardware store was a known safety hazard and that “the condition of the party presents certain risks to neighboring structures” which include Baker Insurance and other businesses. They had also said that in the event of a fire, “crews would not be able to enter the property.”
Once the demolitions are done, the county said they hope to pursue “redevelopment opportunities.”
The hardware store had been purchased from the village for $10 through a court order and now it’s no longer standing. The village is working on pursuing the right to demolish the other two privately owned buildings.
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The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
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