Motorcycle club fire in Lyon Twp was cover-up for crime, investigators believe

LYON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJBK) - Authorities are continuing to investigate what caused the fire that destroyed a motorcycle club in Lyon Township early Friday morning.

Crews were called to the property belonging to Scorpion's Motorcycle Club just after 6 a.m. Traffic was closed on Milford Road between 11 and 12 mile roads as the crews battled the huge flames.

"It sounds kind of corny, but, it was like a giant yellow fireball. It was almost hard to tell there was a building because there was so much fire," says neighbor Jennifer Urtel.

At this time, we're told investigators believe the fire was purposefully set to cover up another crime.

Investigators say a bobcat was stolen from about a half mile away, and then was driven to the property and used to break into the barn. A safe inside had been moved. We're told whoever was inside attempted to pry open the safe, and that the fire was likely set to cover it up.

"The club has been around since 1964, gone through a lot of people. Other than that, the rest is just junk; we can replace that," says Chris Page, the president of Scorpions Motorcycle Club. "We ain't going nowhere. We'll redo it."

We're told a garage on the club's property was also broken into, but nothing appears to have been taken.

This is the second fire at a motorcycle club this week. On Wednesday, the Street Royal Motorcycle Club in Detroit was destroyed in an explosion. Investigators believe at this time a gas leak caused the explosion.

Explosion destroys motorcycle club on Detroit's west side

No one was seriously injured in either incident, though one firefighter got heat exhaustion Friday in Lyon Township.

The two motorcycle clubs are approximately 32 miles away from each other. Police haven't said yet if there could be a connection between the two fires, but we're told the ATF is helping out in both investigations. 

"I don't have a motorcycle, never been part of motorcycle club, but they are a good neighbor. They have a party after Labor Day; it's fun to see whats going on," says Urtel.

Police are asking if you saw anything suspicious Friday morning, such as a person driving a bobcat in the area, to contact them.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 2 for updates.