Lakewood Lanes a total loss in Waterford blaze

All that remains of Lakewood Lanes in Waterford Township is rubble and debris several feet high.

Waterford firefighters battled a blaze that erupted on Thursday, Aug. 23 and destroyed Lakewood Lanes, located on M-59 east of Elizabeth Lake Road.

According to Waterford Fire Captain John Lyman, there was still fire beneath the rubble over 12 hours after the fire started at the bowling alley built in 1930, and bulldozers were expected be brought in during the morning of Friday, Aug. 24 to help firefighters get at the remaining hot spots.

Firefighters were called to the scene between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23. They attempted an interior attack upon arrival, but determined there was a danger of collapse and quickly exited the building.

Lyman said the bowling alley’s roof and western wall both collapsed. Eastbound M-59 traffic was reduced to one lane between Elizabeth Lake Road and just west of Voorheis, after all lanes of M-59 in both directions along that span had been closed through much of the over-night period between Aug. 23 and Aug. 24.

One firefighter suffered a minor shoulder injury while fighting the blaze and has been released from an area hospital following treatment, according to Lyman. He said firefighters from West Bloomfield and Bloomfield townships assisted in the response, while Waterford Township police handled traffic control in the area.

Lyman said the bowling alley was unoccupied at the time the fire began.

The Lakewood Lanes website states that the bowling alley had been closed for the summer and was scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, Aug. 15.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.