CHARLEVOIX — A fire early Thursday morning destroyed the Belvedere Club’s historic “Casino” building, a more than century-old gathering space that had long served as a centerpiece for the Charlevoix community.
Charlevoix Township Fire Department Chief Dan Thorp said the department was alerted around 3 a.m. by Michigan State Police, who reported a glow in the sky near the Belvedere Club property. When firefighters arrived, the structure was already fully engulfed and beyond saving.
“When my first officer arrived on scene, he immediately said that we can go ahead and cancel them because at this point, it’s more or less going to be a surround and drown situation,” Thorp said.
Belvedere Club General Manager David Gray said he was called shortly after firefighters reached the scene.
“The chief of police called and told me the Casino was on fire,” Gray said. “I said, I’ll be down in two minutes. And so, went down there and like I said, firefighters were on scene already putting it out. It was at that point that it was already on the ground and engulfed in flames.”
Nearby resident Ray Louiselle said he was awakened by sirens early that morning.
“We live about a quarter of a mile away,” Louiselle said. “We knew the sirens had stopped somewhere, but it wasn’t until the next day that we got a text from a friend asking if we knew that one of the buildings at the Belvedere had burned down.”
The Charlevoix Historical Society released a statement expressing sorrow over the loss of the 102-year-old building, calling it “an integral part of the community.” The society added that countless events had been held there by both club members and townspeople and said it hopes a new building will continue that tradition “for another century.”
Charlevoix Police Chief Jill McDonnell was unavailable for comment, but a press release stated that Michael Ricks of Charlevoix Township was arrested in connection with the fire.
The Charlevoix County Prosecutor’s Office charged Ricks with third-degree arson and arson–preparation to burn property. He was arraigned Friday afternoon, entered a plea of not guilty, and had his bail set at $500,000.
Despite the loss, Gray said the Belvedere Club plans to rebuild the Casino as it was before.