GUN PLAIN TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WZZM) -- The owner of a boat shop north of Kalamazoo says he plans to rebuild after fire has destroyed the marina and more than $250,000 in inventory.
A passerby spotted flames just before 8 p.m. Sunday at Pine Lake Boat & Motor, which is on Doster Road just east of Pine Lake.
Firefighters dealt with the heavy smoke coming off of the hangar-style building as they put out the hot spots around three hours after the fire started.
Pat Cooper, who owns the shop with his brother, says about 6,000 items that had already been sold online were destroyed. Among items lost in the fire was a 1928 racing motor.
Cooper said he plans to rebuild. He's grateful no one was hurt, but sorry the historic structure, operating since 1928, was gone.
"We like to think that we sold fun... and we will again," he said.
Investigators believe the fire started with an electrical problem in the workshop area, but a cause has not been determined.
According to its website, Pine Lake Boat & Motor was a full service marina for more than 80 years.
