(Michigan City, IN) - Fire heavily damaged a former longtime place of lodging in Michigan City Tuesday.  At about 5 p.m., firefighters responded to the former Christy’s Motel on U.S. 20 near the city’s fire station No. 4.

 

Fire Department spokesperson Tia Free said two rooms were fully engulfed in flames, which were put out before the fire could spread to other rooms in the single story structure.

 

Free said the investigation shows the two burning rooms and other areas of the structure were being lived in by vagrants.  It’s believed the fire is somehow connected to the illegal occupancy of the building.

 

“We think that has to do with the cause of the fire,” Free said.

 

Free said the fire was pretty much out within 30 minutes after the arrival of firefighters, who remained on the scene for over two hours making sure there were no lingering hotspots that could lead to a rekindling.

 

No people were located during a search of the entire building.