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Large fire at Kalamazoo Days Inn is 'suspicious,' police say

Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Kalamazoo Fire Marshal's Office or Silent Observer.

KALAMAZOO, Mich — No one was injured in a "suspicious" multi-unit fire at the Days Inn hotel in Kalamazoo on Sunday, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS). 

The department posted to Facebook around 3:40 p.m. stating that KDPS, Oshtemo and Comstock Fire Departments fought the fire for just under an hour until it was under control. Portage Fire Department was also on the scene assisting. 

Lieutenant Jason Hendrick said the first reports of the fire came in around 1:40 p.m. from a worker who said they saw smoke coming down from the second floor of the hotel. Reports also came in at this time from passing cars stating there was black smoke coming from the roof and hotel rooms on the north side of the building. 

Hendrick said there were also calls stating traffic on I-94 was being slowed down by the smoke from the fire spreading across the highway.

Once crews confirmed there were no people inside, they began fighting the fire. Hendrick said the majority of the fire was in a meeting room but a couple of resident rooms were also involved.

He said there's a "tremendous amount" of smoke and water damage inside the building. While fire damage was limited to one area on the second floor, police say the damage is substantial.

Hendrick said the wind played a large factor in the fire and allowing it to grow to such a large size. 

Police say the fire is considered suspicious at this time. The cause of the fire has not yet been released.

The American Red Cross came to the scene to help long-term tenants who were displaced by the fire. 

KDPS said the incident is being investigated by the Kalamazoo Fire Marshal. 

Anyone with information on this fire is asked to contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 269-337-8260 or Kalamazoo Silent Observer at 269-343-2100, the “P3Tips” app, or online at www.KalamazooSilentObserver.com.

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