Firefighters from Culver, Plymouth, Monterey and Leiters Ford battled a blazing fire Wednesday afternoon in Culver.
The Culver Fire Department was dispatched at 4:42 to 415 Lake Shore Drive, the former location of the City Tavern and even longer ago the Ford dealership.
When fire fighters arrived on the scene thick black smoke was billowing into the air and flames were shooting out through the roof.
At 4:50 the Plymouth Fire Department was dispatched to Culver for mutual aid with an engine, manpower and the aerial fire truck.
While firefighters battled the blaze they also worked at protecting the neighbor’s properties. The west wall of the building collapsed shortly after firefighters started working the blaze and after the flames were gone a good portion of the building was on the ground.
The building’s deeded owner is listed on the county’s GIS at The 27 Group Inc. with a Warsaw address.
It’s unclear what caused the fire. WTCA was told there was no electricity in the building and that the building hasn’t been occupied for several years. The property is currently involved in a Federal lawsuit that is scheduled to be in court later this month. The case is between the Town of Culver and Scotty Van Hawk and The 27 Group Inc.
Fire officials reported no injuries.
Firefighters were on the scene for several hours.
