HOLLAND, MI (WHTC) – Although Holland is, for the most part, in a holiday mode during the Tulip Time Festival this week, the work of those in Public Safety continues.
Such is the case involving the department’s firefighting unit, as two blazes in the past two days are being investigated as “intentionally set fires.” The first incident occurred during the overnight hours on Thursday in the 300 block of Washington Avenue, when heavy flames were seen coming from the back of a 1½-story, single-family dwelling. The structure was unoccupied at the time and was under renovation at the time of the blaze. Evidence collected by investigators pointed to an act of arson. There were no injuries suffered by responding firefighters.
The second fire occurred around dawn on Friday at the former Macatawa Dairy Dock building in the 300 block of West 17th Street. While there was no blaze spotted at the scene, siding on the structure had sustained damage consistent with that of being under fire. Again, evidence collected by investigators pointed to an act of arson.
Public Safety detectives are looking into the possiblity of these two acts being related, with no suspects in custody as of nightfall on Friday. Anyone with any information on either incident is asked to contact Holland Public Safety or Silent Observer, with up to a five thousand-dollar reward posted.
