By ILSA MINOR

Escanaba Daily Press

ESCANABA — An investigation into the cause of the Dec. 21, 2024 fire that destroyed Escanaba’s iconic Stonehouse Restaurant has concluded, Escanaba Public Safety announced Friday.

After conducting interviews with witnesses, reviewing security footage from nearby locations, performing an extensive examination of the fire scene, and recovering digital video recording units from security cameras in the restaurant, investigators have concluded the fire started in the building’s basement. Specifically, the fire appears to have started in the ceiling joists of a utility storage room.

The exact cause of the fire remains inconclusive, but a malfunction in electrical wiring or devices is considered a likely source. There is no evidence to suggest the fire was caused by intentional human actions.

The fire started the morning of Dec. 21, with first responders getting the call just before 6 a.m. Firefighters battled the blaze for hours while combating freezing temperatures, as it was a mere 12° F at the time of the fire.

According to a press release issued shortly after the fire, when officers arrived they discovered heavy smoke coming from the building. They tried to enter the building, but the floor of the building collapsed before any firefighters were able to enter.

“We couldn’t get to the fire because the floor was compromised,” said Escanaba Public Safety Director John Gudwer, referring to an area near the main entrance on the south side of the building that had a basement beneath it. “It collapsed just as the officers opened the door.”

Escanaba Public Safety was assisted in the fire investigation by the Michigan State Police Fire Investigations Unity, Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), State-Wide Consulting & Investigation, and Brunette & Son Excavating.