A fire that was believed to be set intentionally at an Ypsilanti-area pre-school and kindergarten has caused over $500,000 in damages to the school building as well as to school supplies.
Firefighters arrived on the scene around 8 p.m. on July 15 to find flames and smoke coming from a single classroom in the back of the Ford Early Learning Center. Ford Early Learning Center is located at 2440 Clark Road in Ypsilanti Township.
Although firefighters were able to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading, the building suffered various degrees of smoke damage, according to the Ypsilanti Fire Department. Superior Township fire Department, Huron Valley Ambulance, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene.
An estimated $300,000 in damages was done to the building itself. An additional $200,000 in damages to books and other materials occurred during the three-hour ordeal, officials said.
Although no injuries were reported, police considered the fire to be suspicious. Police have released surveillance photos of a person who was in the area and is wanted for questioning regarding the incident.
Anyone who can identify or has information about the person in the surveillance photos is asked to contact Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Detective Mike Babycz at babyczm@washtenaw.org or submit a tip anonymously at 734-973-7711.
