HAMPTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- A Bay County furniture store that was the site of meetings held by an anti-Semitic hate group was destroyed by a fire early Monday, officials said.
The hate group, organized by Christian Identity teacher James P. Wickstrom, met at the Marquiss Quality Furniture store for about three years. Wickstrom moved to Tennessee in June 2003, but returned to the area a few months ago.
No one was in the building at the time, and no injuries were reported.
Hampton Township Fire Chief Wayne Schaefer said firefighters could see heavy smoke and fire coming from the building, located in this community near Bay City about 115 miles northwest of Detroit, when they arrived about 2 a.m. EDT Monday. Fire officials said the fire gutted the building.
Because of the religious aspect of the building's use, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms will help investigate the blaze. The FBI and Michigan State Police fire investigators also were at the scene. Officials were treating the fire as a criminal investigation, but haven't determined a cause.
A message seeking an update on the investigation was left Monday with the Michigan State Police.
A man who answered the telephone at a listing for Wickstrom hung up without commenting.
Store owners Mary and LeRoy Marquiss said their business, home and lives have been threatened since Wickstrom's meetings were publicized in June 2003. They believe the building was set on fire by someone who opposed the meetings.
``They think they won,'' Mary Marquiss told The Bay City Times, adding: ``The only way they'll stop that is to kill us.''
The Marquisses had invited Wickstrom to live in the area a few years ago. Mary Marquiss vowed to rebuild or look for another place to continue running the store, which also includes a water treatment business.
A meeting was held at the store as recently as Memorial Day, the Times reported, but meetings have been temporarily suspended because of the fire.
The Christian Identity movement espouses a doctrine that whites are God's chosen people, teaching racist, sexist, anti-Semitic and homophobic beliefs. Wickstrom preaches a message, using Bible passages, that is strongly pro-white and anti-Jewish. He has openly called for violence against Jews.
