Charitable haunted house torched in arson

The Nightmares for Hope Haunted House in Wolverine Lake, which donates 100 percent of its proceeds toward the Hope for Autism Foundation, was set ablaze by an unknown arsonist on Saturday, Oct. 27.

The haunted attraction, situated at Benstein and Glengary roads within Clara Miller Park in Wolverine Lake, was scheduled to be open from Thursday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 28.

A Wolverine Lake police officer on routine patrol in the area noticed the fire in the haunted house tent at 2:38 a.m. and contacted dispatch.

The fire spread quickly. By the time Commerce Township firefighters arrived on the scene and extinguished the blaze, the fire had consumed three-quarters of the tent, as well as all of its contents for a total loss.

There were no injuries. The attraction was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Detective Scott Pasini of the Investigative and Forensic Services Fire Unit is conducting an investigation into the incident. Preliminary findings reveal two points of origin where the fire was intentionally set.

The case continues to be investigated. Anyone with any information about the case is asked to call the Wolverine Lake Police Department at 248-624-1335 or contact Arson Control at 1-800-44-ARSON.

The Michigan Arson Prevention Committee offers a reward up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of anyone on arson-related charges.