Samples from Coins & Stamps Sent to Lab

public safety officials along with the arson investigators from the collective five cities continue to . 

The blaze broke out shortly after 4 a.m. minutes after police received an alert for an intrusion alarm from the back window. Immediately following, dispatchers received an alert for a fire alarm. 

Investigators have strong suspicions the fire was an arson but the cause has not yet been determined.

Crews from the City, the Park and the Farms fought the fire for about an hour before putting it out. Neighboring businesses sustained smoke damage but otherwise avoided the heavier damage that Coins and Stamps sustained.

City of Grosse Pointe Detective Alan Gwyn said Tuesday that several samples from the fire have been sent to the Michigan State Police for testing to determine whether an accelerant was used. It is not yet clear when that testing will be complete, Gwyn said.

Locally, the arson investigation team, which has a representative from the Shores, the Woods and the City are continuing to pursue the investigation, Gwyn said.

The situation is difficult because nearby businesses and residents are scared following the fire, Gwyn said, noting that would suggest the business is a bit of target.

It is not yet clear whether the burglaries are related to the fire but the most recent burglary was only eight days before the blaze. In both burglaries the front window of the business was broken out with a rock or piece of asphault. Both burglaries were caught on internal video surveillance cameras.

Gwyn said both burglaries are still under investigation and notable items stolen during each have not yet surfaced at area pawn shops or elsewhere. Detectives are continuing to investigate leads in both cases.