Crime & Safety

Cause of Fire at St. Joseph Parish Under Investigation

Dexter residents reported an artificial Christmas tree was found smoldering at the church on Friday.

A small fire that broke out at on Dover Street in Dexter on Friday evening is under investigation.

According to Sgt. Beth Gieske, first responders were dispatched to the church around 7:20 p.m. for reports of smoke in the building.

"There was some contents on fire but it was very small," she said. "There was no structural damage to the building."

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Dexter resident Mark Olexa said he and several volunteers were setting up for the church's annual silent auction fundraiser when they discovered an artifical Christmas tree smoldering in its storage container and contacted the Dexter Area Fire Department.

Gieske said no injuries were reported. She said the department could not speculate what caused the fire.

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"We're still investigating what occurred," Gieske said.


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