A commercial building located in the 1200 block of E. Chicago Rd. in Sturgis sustained “significant structural damage” due to a fire Saturday, according to the Sturgis Department of Public Safety.

Emergency personnel were dispatched to the building at approximately 9:34 p.m. Saturday, January 27 after a structure fire was reported. Upon arrival safety officers found the business closed, with heavy smoke coming from the rear of the building. Firefighters found fire in the structure’s attic space upon entry, quickly knocking down the fire, and opening the ceiling to complete the extinguishment.

In addition to significant structural damage, the building sustained smoke and water damage. At the time of publication, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined, and investigation into the fire’s origin is being handled by the Sturgis fire marshal.

The Sturgis Department of Public Safety was assisted at the scene by the Sturgis Electric Department and Michigan Gas.

Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor and publisher of Watershed Voice.