The St. Ignace Fire Department responded to a fire at the US-2 roadside park atop Bryce's hill, just east of Cheeseman Road, early Tuesday morning, November 24.

Upon arrival around 6 a.m., firefighters found one of the restroom buildings, the men's double outdoor restroom, fully engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, but the building was destroyed.

The State Police from the St. Ignace post responded to the incident and, since there was no lightning or any other natural explanation, are investigating it as a crime.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the State Police post at 643-7582.

The restrooms had already been padlocked for the season by the Michigan Department of Transportation.

John Batchelder of MDOT said the department would replace the restroom building as soon as possible, although the roadside park will now be closed for the winter.

The roadside park west of St. Ignace was one of the two in the U.P. that kept its gates open year around for motorists.

Owing to budgetary concerns and to prevent any future vandalism, the department plans to barricade the entrance for the rest of this winter and install a gate before next winter, Mr. Batchelder said.