ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - Fire crews responded to multiple debris and couch fires overnight as thousands of fans took to the streets of Ann Arbor to celebration Michigan's national championship win.
Michigan claimed its first national title since the 1997-98 season with a 34-13 win over Washington in Monday night's College Football Playoff title game at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Back home, celebrations erupted at the Crisler Center and around Ann Arbor as thousands of students, staff and residents cheered at packed bars and in downtown streets.
The Ann Arbor Police Department said there was a large police presence on South University with officers briefly closing down a portion of the road immediately following the game.
Just before midnight, Ann Arbor Fire Chief Mike Kennedy told Mlive his department was handling six fire calls. In an update around 1:30 a.m., Ann Arbor PD confirmed fire crews went out to 17 debris and couch fires which were promptly extinguished.
No injuries were reported and there was no damage to structures or vehicles.
Crews said all of the fires occurred in the South University, Hill Street, and Washtenaw Ave. area.
Barstool Sports reposted a video of fans igniting a couch in front of Good Time Charley's, located at 1140 S University Ave. at the intersection of Church Street, while another video showed people climbing on lamp poles.
"Great. We can’t make fun of State for this anymore," one user wrote on social media referencing Michigan State University's close association with couch burning.
Despite the incidents, the Wolverines' Monday night's victory was the ultimate ending to a perfect 15-0 season that saw its share of highs, lows and scandal.
Harbaugh was suspended twice this season for NCAA violations within his program, first for allegedly misleading NCAA investigators about recruiting violations in 2020, and later for an illegal sign-stealing operation that was spearheaded by ex-analyst Connor Stallions.
As reported by 97.1 the Ticket, Harbaugh served a self-imposed three-game suspension and while Michigan did not protest against the other despite there being no proof that Harbaugh had any knowledge of the sign-stealing scandal.
Michigan’s last title came on New Year’s Day 1998, a Rose Bowl win over Washington State that helped the Wolverines split the last title of the poll era before the onset of the BCS National Championship Game the following year.
This title ends the four-team CFP era as we know it, as next year will mark the start of the new 12-team playoff.