7 Mich. FDs respond to 4-alarm commercial structure fire

By Nathan Clark
mlive.com

SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, Mich.. — A Jackson business was destroyed in a fire early Wednesday morning that also continues to shut down U.S. 127 south of the city.

Employees working at Thayer Marine reported smoke and flames coming from the roof of the boat service department at about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, said Thayer Marine co-owner Michael Thayer.

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Everyone at the business, located at 5350 U.S. 127 in Summit Township, evacuated the building as fire crews from throughout Jackson County arrived to combat the blaze, he said.

Fire officials on scene were unavailable to provide details about the fire as they were all still actively working to extinguish the blaze as of 9:30 a.m.

U.S. 127 is currently closed between Floyd Avenue and Hart Road while firefighters continue to combat the fire.

Based on the extent of the damage seen while firefighters were still working, it is likely the structure will be declared a total loss.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time, but it is believed to have started in the attic of the large structure, Thayer said.

“There is no wiring up there, so I don’t know what could have sparked this,” he said. “I’m trying not to think about that right now, and instead need to do what I can to make sure our customers we were servicing when this started are taken care of.”

Thayer Marine is a family-owned boat dealership and boat service provider that has been in operation in Jackson for 37 years.

Motorists are advised to seek alternative route and avoid U.S. 127 south of Jackson.

The Summit Township Fire Department, Jackson Fire Department, Blackman-Leoni Township Public Safety, Columbia Township Fire, Napoleon Town ship Fire, Grass Lake Township Fire, Hanover Township Fire, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Michigan State Police Fire Investigator, Jackson Community Ambulance, J-DART and Consumers Energy all responded to the scene.

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