Lightning ignites fire at Silver Lake Pizza Factory 

– Photo courtesy of Golden Sands Golf & Bucket Bar

Lightning ignites fire at Silver Lake Pizza Factory 

GOLDEN TOWNSHIP — A severe thunderstorm rolled through Oceana County Wednesday, July 26, around 11:30 a.m., and a lightning bolt ignited a fire at a popular eatery, the Silver Lake Pizza Factory on Hazel Road.

Firefighters from Hart, Pentwater and Shelby-Benona battled the blaze. No one was injured, said Hart Fire Chief Dwight Fuehring. Firefighters were clearing the scene around 1:30 p.m.

“Lightning hit the gas meter, and gas was feeding the fire,” said Chief Fuehring. “We got the gas stopped, and the electricity was shut off by Great Lakes Energy.”

The gas meter was located on the south end of the building, and the flames went up the exterior wall. Damage is mainly contained to that end of the building. The roof had to be ventilated in two locations, and the interior of the restaurant suffered smoke damage. 

Grant Township Fire Department responded to the scene with its rehab trailer, and Oceana County Emergency Management also assisted.

The restaurant is not a total loss, but it will be up to the owners and the insurance company whether the restaurant will reopen, said the fire chief.

It is the second Silver Lake restaurant to be hit by fire this summer. Fire leveled a campground office and restaurant building at the Hideaway Campground on Silver Lake Road, June 22.

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