MARQUETTE - Marquette city fire and police officials are investigating what they term as a suspicious fire that broke out Monday at the former Sara Lee bakery.
Marquette City Fire Department Chief Tom Belt said there is not a lot of physical evidence but authorities believe the fire was not accidental.
"It appeared there may have been a break-in in the building some time prior to the report of the fire and arrival of the fire department," Belt said.
Article Photos
Marquette city fire and police officials are investigating what they are calling a suspicious fire at the former Sara Lee Bakery, shown above. (Journal file photo)
Detective Capt. Gordie Warchock said the police department received a report Sunday of someone throwing a rock through the window of the closed factory. He said someone may have gained access to the building on Sunday and someone may have gained access through the same window Monday.
Belt said the fire originated from some trash and storage items in the garage area.
The small fire, in an empty garage bay on the south side of the building, was discovered by a security person who was inspecting the property and works for a property management firm. Police and firefighters arrived at the closed bakery at 12:39 p.m. and firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze.
The Sara Lee bakery was closed in June 2009.
Anyone with information on the fire is asked to call the police department at 228-0400.
Christopher Diem can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.