DETROIT (WWJ) -- A house at the center of some controversy in Detroit's Cass Corridor burned down, early Monday morning.
WWJ's Charlie Langton reported the fire tore through the house at around 1 a.m, totaling the property, and blowing wood and debris into Cass Ave.
The structure is "really just a pile of sticks and some bricks," said Langton, reporting from the scene, where several hotspots were still smoldering later in the morning.
He said only steps leading up to the front of the house are left.
The house is well known in the area. The 4700 square-foot property is "dilapidated" and considered "an eyesore." The City of Detroit issued several blight tickets over the years, saying the house wasn't safe to live in.
Located at the heart of Little Caesars Arena parking, the house was considered controversial as the owners refused to sell it, and buyers were unable to strike a reasonable deal. During LCA construction, the owners wanted $4.5 million for the property. Now, years later, it is listed at $2.5 million on Zillow.
Because of the house's controversial history, there's an investigation underway to determine if there may have been foul play.
Onlookers in the area said the fire seems suspicious.
"I think somebody might have did it," said Jewel, a woman who drove by the site every single day. "Last time I seen… it was like $4.5 million. It's surrounded by gates, so I'm assuming that Little Caesars might want it. So somebody might have touched it."
"Hopefully it's fully insured" said Michael, another Detroiter observing the damage. "It did look like it was in grave repair, but it's sitting in a tremendous location."
When asked if he would pay $2.5 million for it, Michael chuckled. "I don't believe so."
According to a fire chief at the scene, no one was injured. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
The owner and real estate agent have been contacted, but have not yet commented on the fire.
