Suspicious fire at an historic apartment complex is put out after it burns overnight

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. (WXYZ) - A blaze ignited by an arsonist at an historic apartment complex in Highland Park Friday night continued to burn on Saturday. Crews were finally able to reach all of the hot spots after working the fire for more than twelve hours.

Investigators tell Action News that whoever ignited the flames was still in the building setting fires even as crews arrived on the scene to battle the inferno. 

Officers saw the suspect but they were able to run off and escape.

The blaze broke out at the complex on Woodward just south of the Davison around 8 p.m. Friday evening and continued to burn throughout the night. Fire fighters from Berkley, Hamtramck and Detroit all assisted in the efforts to douse the flames.

While the official cause has not yet been determined Highland Park’s mayor says some type of accelerant was likely used.

The Highland Towers have been vacant for several years, but when they were built 90 years ago the apartments were considered luxury living.

The building boasted one of the first underground apartment garages in Detroit and even had a band shell on the roof.

Because of the age of the structure fire fighters played it safe, attacking the flames from the perimeter. Their efforts were complicated by water pressure problems, but those issues were resolved.

No injuries have been reported.