Brandon Twp. — In the early morning hours of Nov. 1, Brandon Fire Department responded to a mobile home fire at Sashabaw Meadows Mobile Home Park storage facility near Dartmouth and Seymour Lake roads.
When firefighters arrived, one mobile home was completely engulfed and two others were beginning to burn within the fenced-in compound area where several unoccupied, repossessed homes are stored. The fire was extinguish in about 15 minutes. Because the homes are stored so close together, however, the firefighters remained on site until the burned trailer could be pulled out and ensure the flames didn’t spread.
Brandon Fire Chief Robert McArthur said that arson is suspected in the fire since “there’s no electrical power to the mobile homes in the impound lot and there’s some evidence of a flammable liquid.”
According to Brandon Fire Department records, Saturday’s fire was the second this year and the third within a year-and-a-half.
“We’re considering possible fire code violations,” said McArthur. “These trailers are stored just too close together.”
Criminal fire investigators from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department were called in at 5:30 a.m. and are continuing the investigation.
“We’ve found evidence that would suggest arson,” said Oakland County Sheriff Fire Investigator, Detective David Row.
“This is a classic case of either someone is angry at the park or bank for the repossession or some type of vandalism.”
While the county fire investigator continues exploring the case, local officials say no building code violations have been violated.
“Currently the township has no ordinance that applies to unoccupied structures and the distance apart they are stored,” said Timothy Palulian, Brandon Township building department director.
Following the Nov. 1 fire, McArthur sent a letter to the management of the mobile home park requesting changes in the storage of these trailers.
The manager at the Sashabaw Meadows Mobile Home Park did not return phone calls from The Citizen. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information regarding this case. A reward is being offered. Those with information on the fire are urged to call 1-800-44-ARSON.