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 The latest fire destroyed the "Penny House," one of several
abandoned buildings on Heidelberg Street or nearby roads that artist
Tyree Guyton has converted into displays for art made from found
objects.
Begun decades ago, the Heidelberg Project draws busloads of Michigan
schoolchildren on field trips and art enthusiasts from around the
world. But a series of fires have destroyed or damaged several of
the houses over recent months.
Fire Capt. Charles Simms told The Detroit News that arson
investigators had identified a person of interest in Thursday's fire
and one earlier this month that destroyed the installation's "House
of Soul." He said he was asking the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives for help.
"We're paying this some special attention," Simms said.
The Associated Press left a message with police Thursday night
seeking an update on the investigation.
After this month's fire at the "House of Soul," project officials
announced plans to install security cameras and take other
precautions. Last month, a fire burned the project's "Obstruction of
Justice House" for the second time this year.
"It's disheartening obviously, but it doesn't seem final or tragic
because it's part of it all," Heidelberg spokeswoman Katie Hearn
told the Detroit Free Press. "Tyree is always talking about how you
can't fully enjoy the positive if you don't have the negative."
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 Hearn said a Heidelberg security patrol was in the
neighborhood early Thursday and noticed smoke.
"My guess is maybe they were at the other end of the block," Hearn
said. "They said it was very quick. They didn't actually see
anyone."
The fire came on the same day as a fundraising event for the
Heidelberg Project. Called "It's All About The D: Encore," the party
is its fourth annual fall fundraiser. Money raised Thursday night at
"Encore" will support the development and programs of the Heidelberg
Project.
"If we were to lose Heidelberg, we'd lose one of the most vibrant
and creative responses to the desperate hardships that often attend
our urban condition," said Jerry Herron, dean of the Wayne State
University Honors College and author of "Connecting the Dots," a
2007 book on the project. "Tyree quite brilliantly turned the refuse
of an abandoned neighborhood into a reason to make people want to
come and see and understand."
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Online:
The Heidelberg Project:
http://www.heidelberg.org/
[Associated
Press]
Copyright 2013 The Associated
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