Scene of fire-ravaged lakeshore mansion continues to smolder.

Photos taken Tuesday afternoon, June 7.

Scene of fire-ravaged lakeshore mansion continues to smolder.

Cause remains under investigation.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

PENTWATER TOWNSHIP — The scene of a lakeshore mansion destroyed by fire last Thursday night and Friday, June 2 and 3, continues to smolder several days later.

The Pentwater Fire Department issued a press release Monday, June 6, providing more details about the gigantic blaze. No one was inside the home at the time of the fire, and no one was injured.

“On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Pentwater Fire Department was dispatched to a report of smoke near the intersection of Chester Street and Longbridge Road in Pentwater Township,” states the press release. “The initial report was for smoke detected in the area for the last 20‐25 minutes. At 9:25 p.m., PFD was dispatched and two Pentwater firefighters were in the area in personal vehicles by 9:30 p.m. Responders began searching two dune communities near the intersection and with no luck locating a fire, the search stretched south. 

“At approximately 9:56 p.m., a structure was identified with smoke and flames showing. The home was known to PFD because of its large footprint and a request for full responses from three additional fire departments was immediately requested. 

“Mutual aid was received from Hart Area Fire Department, Shelby‐Benona Fire Department, Riverton Fire Department, Crystal Township Fire Department, Walkerville Fire Department, and Grant Township Fire Department.”

“When firefighters attempted entry through the front door, the floor gave in,” said Pentwater Fire Chief Jonathan Hughart “We believed the home was unoccupied. As a result, the fire had a huge head start. There was no early detection like a fire alarm and we believe the fire had been burning for at least an hour before it was discovered by PFD personnel searching the area.”

“Other agencies that assisted when fire spread to the grass and woods on the lake side of the building were Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources and the City of Ludington’s ‘Harbor One’ fire boat. Firefighters battled the blaze for five hours but were unable to save the large structure. 

“Per owner and taxpayer information obtained through the Pentwater Township website, the property was built in 2016 with 8,962 square feet of floor area, a basement area of 5,792 square feet and a garage area of 1,963 square feet with a 2021 assessed value of $1,952,500. The total acres on the lot are 10.02 with a land value of $1,514,600.

“Also assisting with the overall response were Pentwater Police Department, the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Life EMS and Mason‐Oceana 911. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.”

The garage building remains standing, and the tennis courts at the estate appeared unscathed.

OCP file photo of the fire scene taken around midnight June 3.

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