Frenchtown Twp. blaze guts new shop

12/11/2005

MONROE - A building being constructed for a coffee shop in Frenchtown Township north of here was destroyed by fire yesterday, authorities said.

Firefighters responded to a call at the building being built for Tim Hortons on North Telegraph Road near Stewart Road about 3:30 p.m. when they found it engulfed in flames, Frenchtown Township fire Lt. Tom McDevitt said.

The fire started inside the building that was about half finished as construction crews worked outside. The cause is unknown but officials have ruled out an electrical fire because the building was not yet wired.

Two firefighters suffered slip-and-fall injuries while fighting the blaze and were taken to Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe, Lieutenant McDevitt said.

Fire crews were at the scene about three hours handling the blaze and overseeing the demolition of the building.

The township was assisted by the Monroe Fire Department.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.