DETROIT – A massive fire engulfed the mansion that once belonged to a family that owned the Detroit Tigers and served as the namesake for Tiger Stadium.
Firefighters arrived at about 6 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, as the flames quickly got out of control.
No injuries have been reported. The homeowners were living in the guest house during renovations to the main home.
The homeowner said they were dedicated to preserving the historical integrity of the home, only to wake up to flames.
The early morning fire was a wake-up call for Palmer Woods Historic District.
“Emergency vehicles they were honking their horns and I looked outside and the house was on fire,” said neighbor Everton Swearing.
“It looked like the fire was sort of under control but then the third floor burst into flames and then the roof collapsed,” said neighbor Abraham Gurewitz.
The mansion burned throughout the morning. The house was built in the 1920s by the family of Walter Briggs, the former owner of the Detroit Tigers.
“Just horrified. Horrified. I knew one of the previous neighbors and they lived in that house for over 40 years,” Swearing said. “It’s a beautiful home. Beautiful architecture. And at this point, it looks like it’s going to be a total loss.”
The newest tenants took ownership more than a year ago and had been living in the guest house during the renovations. The owner, Jerlando Jackson, said no one was inside the home when it caught fire.
“It’s a lot running through my mind at the moment," Jackson said. “Very concerned about the future of the house and hope that there’s an opportunity to get it restored and back in good shape.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.