Cause of fire at former Ypsilanti-area crematory is unclear

YPSILANTI TWP, MI — What sparked a fire at a vacant Ypsilanti-area crematory couldn’t be determined.

Ypsilanti Township Fire Marshal Steve Wallgren said he could not pinpoint an exact cause, but is confident it wasn’t arson.

Crews were called around 11 p.m. Oct 21 to what was Tri-County Cremation Services at 1106 E. Michigan Ave. for a report of a structure fire, Lt. Nick Dunleavy with the Ypsilanti Township Fire Department previously said.

Half of the building, including the roof, was engulfed in flames when crews arrived. The fire was under control in roughly an hour, Dunleavy said. No one was injured.

Both the cause and origin of the fire is unclear, Wallgren said. It’s also unclear if a recent storm played a role.

Costs to repair the building could exceed $200,000, although that