ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba Public Safety has concluded its investigation into a restaurant fire late last year.
On December 21, 2024, the Stonehouse Restaurant on Ludington Street caught fire around 5:45 a.m. The floor collapsed into the basement before responders arrived, so they could not enter the building. They battled the fire for several hours before it was extinguished.
On March 7, 2025, Public Safety officials announced that the investigation into the fire is now complete. Through thorough interviews with witnesses, reviewing security footage from nearby locations, and performing an extensive examination of the scene, investigators gathered key findings regarding the cause of the blaze.
Investigators recovered digital video recording units from security cameras inside the restaurant. They found that the fire started in the basement, specifically in the ceiling joints of a utility and storage room. While the exact cause remains inconclusive, a malfunction in electrical wiring or devices is considered a likely source of ignition. There is no evidence to suggest the fire was caused by intentional human actions.
Escanaba Public Safety thanks the Michigan State Polie Fire Investigations Unit, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, State-Wide Consulting and Investigating, and Brunette & Son Excavating for their support during the investigation.
