Fire at vacant Benton Harbor building may have been ‘intentional,’ police say

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (WOOD) — Fourteen agencies helped put out a fire at a vacant former grocery store in Benton Harbor that police say may have been “intentionally set.”

Around 6:40 a.m. Sunday, a structure fire was reported at the former G&G Grocery story on Buss Avenue between I-94 Emergency and S Seely Street. The building was vacant, according to the Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the building. Using two ladder trucks, they were able to protect nearby homes and bring the fire under control, BHDPS said. Two homes, a garage and a car were damaged on their exteriors, but there was no internal damage.

No one was injured.

Benton Harbor police said “there are indications that the fire was intentionally set” but it is still under investigation. Anyone with information should contact BHDPS at 269.443.1027.

BHDPS was assisted by many fire departments including Benton Charter Township, St. Joseph Township, Lincoln Charter Township, North Berrien, Sodus Township, Watervliet and Royalton. Michigan State Police and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office were also on scene, as well as police departments and a towing company.

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