Arson suspected in recent Bay View blazes

PETOSKEY — Arson is the suspected cause of two structure fires in Bay View this week. 

The fires Monday and Wednesday burned down two residential cottages in the summer resort community just east of Petoskey. Both fires were in close proximity to one another, and occurred near 10:45 p.m. each time, according to a Thursday press release from the Emmet County Sheriff’s Department. 

Investigators are still working on the case but have identified a person of interest, according to the release. 

The first fire occurred at 2168 Shier, according to a release from the Bay View Association. The damage resulted in a complete loss of the building, which will have to be demolished. Officials said they were not aware of the cause of the fire at that point. 

“We are grateful that someone in the Emmet County community saw the smoke and called 911,” said incoming executive director Barbara Pfeil in a press release following that initial fire. “We are extremely thankful that no one was injured in the fire, and that there was no damage to neighboring cottages.” 

The second cottage was on Bayside Avenue. Both residences were unoccupied and closed down for the winter. 

In both cases, the Resort/Bear Creek Fire Department and the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incidents, with assistance from the Michigan State Police Fire Division, the Petoskey Department of Public Safety and the Emmet County Emergency Medical Services. 

Emmet County Sheriff Pete Wallin asked anyone with information to call the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office at (231) 439-8900 or to call 911.

Officials have been contacted for more information into this story.

Bay View was founded in 1875 amid the Chautauqua movement — a cultural and religious movement in the United States that began in the latter part of the 19th century. Its participants often started their own communities in rural settings centered around artistic and educational pursuits. Bay View still offers a variety of cultural, educational and religious programs to the public.

The historic resort community allows its members to stay on the campus between spring and fall each year. Membership is necessary to own a cottage on the association’s campus, while the organization retains ownership of the land itself.