Blaze at Michigan State Police Post Construction Site Arson

Authorities say arson is to blame for destroying a mobile office on the site where a new $3.7 million Michigan State Police post is being built in the Bay City area.

The Bay City Times reports the fire was spotted early Sunday in Bay County’s Williams Township, and a witness saw a man running from the scene.

Flames consumed the 10-by-40-foot trailer by the time firefighters arrived.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held last month for the facility. It will replace the current Bay City and Bridgeport posts, and fits with the agency’s consolidated post structure. The state has said it’s closing some posts as part of a cost-cutting effort.