By Mark Constance
LONG LAKE — Law enforcement officials are investigating the March 16 fire that destroyed the Long Lake Bar in Iosco County.
The community gathering place had stood at that location since at least the mid-20th century. The building, made of pine and cedar like many older businesses and cabins across the region, went up in flames during the ice storm that hit the area starting March 15.
The building was quickly consumed and was a total loss.
Plainfield Township Fire Chief Ed Lauria said crews put out the fire without damage to nearby buildings and that all firefighters and emergency personnel were safe.
Lauria said his crew was already exhausted after working with utility companies on more than 40 downed power lines starting about 2 a.m. that morning.
“They were so many that we had people covering with their personal vehicles,” Lauria said. “As they came down, one member would go out and check the situation, assess the damage and update (Iosco County Central) dispatch.
“By the time the fire started our crews had been running already for hours.”
Lauria said the page for the fire came in about 4:30 p.m. Crews used 25,000 gallons of water to put out the blaze, with help from several other departments including Goodar Township, Hill-Rose Township, Whittemore Fire Department and Grant Township. Reilly Construction also assisted at the scene by bringing an excavator.
A Michigan State Police fire investigator is evaluating the incident.
Long Lake Bar own Darin Eyth could not be reached for comment.
Anyone with information about the fire should call the Michigan State Police West Branch Post at 989-345-0956.
