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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott - December 10, 2017
for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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Ludington Daily News
December 10, 1977

           BAY CITY HOTEL SWEPT BY BLAZE

           BAY CITY, Mich. (AP) -
           Several occupants of a four story apartment
         hotel were injured today when fire swept through
         the landmark Wenonah Park building in downtown
         Bay City.
           Police said "numerous injuries" were reported,
         but it was not known immediately whether there
         were any fatalities.
           Many occupants of the apartment hotel climbed
         out of windows and clung to the window sills to
         escape the smoke and flames, witnesses said.
         Many held on as long as they could and then
         plunged screaming to the sidewalk, they added.
           The fire reportedly started with explosive
         force. One police officer said flames appeared
         to burst out the windows and go up several hun-
         dred feet.
           One resident of the brick-faced building, 19
         year old Michel Wald, said she and her young
         son escaped down the fire escape from the second
         floor.
           "All of a sudden we heard a crashing in the
         hallway and someone shouting "fire" and breaking
         down doors.
           "We open the door and saw the hallway full of
         smoke."

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   On December 12th, 1977, arson investigators continued to pick through
   the rubble of the nearly 70 year old structure. Ten people had died in
   the blaze and the fire had been deemed suspicious. There were initial
   reports that residents had smelled gasoline in a hallway and some
   claimed to have seen a gas can. It was later determined that the fire
   had been caused by faulty wiring. Today it remains as the worst
   fire in Bay City's history.