Three-quarters of motor sports business destroyed

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

GREENWOOD TWP. — A dozen fire departments from three counties battled a fire that destroyed three-quarters of the David Allen Racing Motorsports facility, formerly Powers Motor Sports, at 11995 N. Maple Island Rd., Wednesday evening, Nov. 5.

Fremont Fire Chief Brian Hettinger, whose department was the commanding unit, said no one was hurt in the huge blaze and does not know its cause at this time. The fire was reported at 7:45 p.m. when smoke was seen coming from the north end of the building, Hettinger said. The fire quickly began to spread to the other end of the building, he said. The blaze was contained as of approximately 10 p.m. At least 50 firefighters from White Cloud, Ferry, Hesperia, Holton, Walkerville, Shelby, Fremont, Newaygo, Blue Lake, Muskegon Township, Dalton and Egelston Township responded to the scene. Pro Med Ambulance was also called to the scene for standby.

Many onlookers gathered  across the road and watched the fire.

Assisting crews began clearing the scene at approximately 10:30 p.m.

The Oceana County business is located at the Newaygo/Muskegon/Oceana county line approximately seven miles from Hesperia.

An approximate one-mile section of Maple Island Road is closed in the vicinity of the fire until crews clear the scene. Deputies from the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office are directing traffic.

“Three-quarters of it was destroyed,” Hettinger said. “We will continue to investigate the cause throughout the night.”