Michigan home fires are up: The most common causes and locations

Navya Gupta, Detroit Free Press
·2 min read
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Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly listed the cause of a fire at Traffic Jam & Snug. This version is correct.

It's been a bad year for home fires in Michigan.

Fires and deaths due to fires are up significantly. According to the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society, there has been an 11% increase in fires and a 15% increase in deaths due to fires this year compared with the 2017 to 2022 averages.

There were 76 deaths in 62 fires as of June 30.

In those fatal fires, 39% started in the living room, 23% in the bedroom and 5% in the kitchen. Reported causes were smoking at 59%, electrical at 9% and cooking at 6%.

Most of the victims, 68%, were male and 55% of all the victims were between the ages of 40 and 79.

While incidents are up in homes, there have been several notable fires at businesses across metro Detroit.

Metro Detroit has been hammered by a slew of unrelated fires engulfing high-profile or historic structures, some more than 100 years old.

In the majority of cases, the cause is still under investigation.

Here’s a list of some of this year’s biggest blazes so far:

Firefighters from multiple departments work on putting out a fire at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township on February 17, 2022.
Firefighters from multiple departments work on putting out a fire at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township on February 17, 2022.

Oakland Hills Country Club

The Oakland Hills Country Club was engulfed in flames Feb 17. While there were no injuries, the club faced heavy damage. The fire is believed to have started from construction workers using a propane torch against a wall.

As seen from the back of the restaurant, a fire damaged part of Mudgie's Deli and Bar at the corner of Brooklyn and Porter Streets in Corktown on Thursday, March 10, 2022. The damage was not visible from the front side of the building.
As seen from the back of the restaurant, a fire damaged part of Mudgie's Deli and Bar at the corner of Brooklyn and Porter Streets in Corktown on Thursday, March 10, 2022. The damage was not visible from the front side of the building.

Mudgie’s Deli

This Deli and Wine Shop was set aflame March 10. According to officials, the fire was intentional and being investigated as arson.

A crew works to clean up and secure The Traffic Jam & Snug Restaurant in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood after a fire destroyed the business on Friday, May 27, 2022.
A crew works to clean up and secure The Traffic Jam & Snug Restaurant in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood after a fire destroyed the business on Friday, May 27, 2022.

Traffic Jam & Snug

This popular Detroit eatery was destroyed in a fire May 27. There were no injuries reported.

Lt. Dan Mahrle addresses the media regarding the fire at the Capital Grille in the Somerset Collection in Troy on June 13, 2022.
Lt. Dan Mahrle addresses the media regarding the fire at the Capital Grille in the Somerset Collection in Troy on June 13, 2022.

Capital Grille

Somerset Collection’s Capital Grille caught fire June 13. The fire originated in the kitchen. There were no injuries reported.

Firefighters battled a blaze at The Woodward Bar & Grill in Detroit on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. The building was empty when it caught fire and there are no reported injuries. Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution.
Firefighters battled a blaze at The Woodward Bar & Grill in Detroit on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. The building was empty when it caught fire and there are no reported injuries. Nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution.

Woodward Bar & Grill

Woodward Bar & Grill, one of Detroit’s oldest gay bars, caught fire June 14. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains unknown pending a full investigation.

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A Linden firefighter walks near the rubble of the Battle Alley Arcade Antiques Mall after it caught fire on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 in Holly.
A Linden firefighter walks near the rubble of the Battle Alley Arcade Antiques Mall after it caught fire on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 in Holly.

Holly Hotel

Most recently, the historic Holly Hotel was ablaze on June 21. Five firefighters were hospitalized while battling the blaze due to mild injuries and heat exhaustion. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

Contact Navya Gupta: ngupta@freepress.com

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan home fires are up: The most common causes, locations