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Blaze results in a total loss, affecting local food truck vendor

Firefighters work diligently at the scene of a fire at 2024 Presque Isle Ave. in Marquette this morning. Officials say a structure fire affecting both 2020 Presque Isle Ave. and 2024 Presque Isle Ave. resulted in a “total loss” of the two buildings and their contents, which included the popular local food truck Superior Mobile Koney. The Marquette Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Marquette Police Department, Marquette Township Fire Department, the Chocolay Township Fire Department, UP Health System, the city of Marquette Public Works, the Board of Light and Power, and the Red Cross. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

MARQUETTE– Officials say a structure fire on the corner of Presque Isle Avenue and Hawley Street in Marquette early this morning resulted in a “total loss” of the building and its contents, which included the popular local food truck Superior Mobile Koney.

No one was injured as a result of the blaze, which was reported just after midnight, Marquette Fire Department officials said. The home south of the structure was evacuated.

MFD Capt. Greg Guertin, who was interviewed at the scene of the fire, said the department was called out around midnight for a “vehicle on fire inside of a garage.”

“We showed up at this address, had heavy smoke coming out the front doors, made access through the front doors and found a heavy fire,” Guertin said. “(We) put a defensive attack on the fire because we did not want to send people inside at that point. And then once we realized how bad the fire was, our main concern was the house next door — the exposure.”

The building became “completely involved” approximately 10 minutes after the fire department arrived on the scene, according to an MFD press release.

MFD Capt. Jeff Green, during a phone interview this morning, said the house directly south of the structure was able to be saved, but the warehouse itself was “too far gone by the time we got there.”

“Fortunately we were able to put enough water on the building to the south so that we did not lose that as well,” Green said.

The fire resulted in the loss of property for a local food vendor. Superior Mobile Koney posted a photo of the blaze on its Facebook page, reporting that its food truck was in the garage. At least one other vehicle also appears to have been damaged in the blaze.

“Well ladies and gentlemen, as of tonight it appears Superior Mobile Koney is no more, as a fire has broken out in our garage. It’s been my pleasure serving all of you! Cheers,” the post states.

Michael Grant, owner of both the structure and Superior Mobile Koney, said he had no comment about the situation during a phone interview this morning.

Guertin said the fire was essentially put out within an hour, but crews remained on the scene for nearly eight hours putting out hot spots.

Presque Isle Avenue was closed while crews battled the blaze, but Guertin expects the road to be open to traffic today.

“We will probably have another truck come and stand by this afternoon because … it was a heavy fire load,” Guertin said. “There could be a lot of hot spots yet. We will be keeping (an eye on it) throughout the afternoon, but the road will be open.”

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time, Guertin said, and remains under investigation. The residents that were evacuated are being assisted by the Pigs ‘n’ Heat charity, officials say.

The Marquette Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Marquette Police Department, Marquette Township Fire Department, the Chocolay Township Fire Department, UP Health System, Marquette Public Works and Utilities Department, the Marquette Board of Light and Power, and the Red Cross, Green said.

Journal staff writer Corey Kelly contributed to this report. Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.

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