March 08--Arson investigators were at the scene Friday of yet another house fire in the Heidelberg Project neighborhood, where a home decorated with dolls was destroyed.
The blaze at the "Party Animal House" is the latest in a string of suspicious fires that are decimating the east-side art project, frustrating and puzzling visitors and residents who live nearby.
No injuries were reported. Officials said they have no suspects.
The "Party Animal House" at Elba and Mt. Elliot, also known as the "Doll House," was not occupied when it burned.
"We're on the ground floor," Detroit Fire Arson Lt. Joe Crandall said Friday morning, as accelerant-sniffing dog Colby was at the scene.
Crandall said the fire blackened a neighboring house that may have been occupied.
Tyree Guyton created the art project in 1986 as a response to urban decay. The interactive sculpture park mixes vacant houses and empty yards with artistic themes.
When asked Friday whether he will rebuild, Guyton said, "Living in this city, you can't give up." He declined further comment about the fire as he walked around observing the charred remains.
Later Friday, the Heidelberg Project released a statement on its website that quoted Guyton: "As tough as it is, a chapter is obviously closing, but it's far from over. It's a new beginning."
The statement said this was the ninth fire at the site since May. There was a temporary security camera set up near the "Party Animal House," but it was impaired due to fire damage and exposure to extreme temperatures, it said.
Firefighters were called to the scene about 3 a.m., and by the time they arrived, the house was beyond saving. Fire Capt. Robert Tucker called it a tinderbox, with wood becoming drier over the decades it's been abandoned.
The statement from the Heidelberg Project said after the "House of Soul" burned on Nov. 12, "supporters around the world rallied to pool over $54,000 to fund the implementation of a comprehensive security plan ... including increased lighting, mobile patrol and surveillance equipment." The Erb Family Foundation and the Kresge Foundation kicked in additional funding.
"We had already spent over $23,000 on patrol alone" and were finalizing a more comprehensive security plan when "we were hit again," Executive Director Jenenne Whitfield was quoted as saying. "Who does this?"
The organization remains committed to its community, the statement said.
Cynthia Holloway, 54, has lived in the neighborhood all her life and said the art project and associated problems including fires are disruptive for people who want to live in peace.
"It's another black eye for Detroit," she said of the fires in the art project. "Detroit has enough problems."
Asked what's the best thing the city can do at this point, she said it could build more houses -- residential ones.
Sisters Kendra and Cerria Logan, 18 and 17, live in the neighborhood and said they couldn't believe another house burned down. They said the iconic art display brings fun, excitement and tourists.
"We take pictures by it," Cerria said. "It's fun -- but not if they burn it down. It hurts."
She said she's done school projects on the art pieces.
"When I found out the record house burned down, I literally cried," she said. "I'm like, that was my favorite one."
Only a few of the houses remain standing in the neighborhood.
Asked why someone would burn these houses, Kendra Logan replied, "jealousy."
There have been no arrests related to the fires that started in May. The Detroit Fire Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continue to investigate.
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Staff writer Eric D. Lawrence and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2014 - Detroit Free Press
