Monroe fires now under investigation

MONROE TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Ar around the same time Tuesday evening, two fire erupted to life about 250 feet from each other.

The two structures burned less than 250 feet away from one another. One building was a Motel 7on Dixie Hwy., while the other was Gateway Church on Dunbar Road.

The fire that charred the Motel 7 on South Dixie Highway is under investigation. According to Calvin Wilson, fire inspector for Monroe Township, the fire reportedly started at around 9:22 p.m. in room 19.

Investigators searched for the source during daylight Wednesday of the fire in an area around the bed in room 19.

According to Wilson, the person who was in the room has a police record that includes past charges of arson.

Though several rooms were evacuated, only one was damaged by the fire.

The occupant of the room, 44-year-old Rodney Wilson suffered second degree burns and was transported to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo.

The fire that damaged the Gateway Baptist Church is being considered an electrical fire. Fire inspectors believe arcing from some of the electrical outlets may have caught nearby combustible items on fire.

When the fire department arrived the church was secure, which is one major reason investigators believe the fire wasn't caused by a break-in or arson.

Two fires practically next to each other erupted to life at about the same time late Tuesday evening, testing Monroe and Monroe Township fire crews.

Shortly after 9  p.m. the Motel 7 on South Dixie Highway and the Gateway Baptist Church about 250 feet down the road on East Dunbar caught fire.

Both fires were knocked down pretty fast, but firefighters had to douse hot spots at the motel.

According to the Monroe Evening News, fire officials said one man was rushed to a Toledo area hospital with burns to his face.

A total of 16 motel residents were displaced and were being assisted by the Monroe County chapter of the American Red Cross, the Monroe Evening News said.

The cause of both fires have not been determined and both remain under investigation.