A fire has ravaged Homeboy Barbeque, a notable seasonal takeout and catering business in Genesee County, leading to the arrest of a 17-year-old suspect. WNEM reported that the Clayton Township Police Department received a call about the fire around 11:01 p.m. on Tuesday. The blaze, which destroyed the restaurant located at the 9200 block of Beecher Road near Seymour Road, brought firefighters from several departments together in a collective effort to extinguish the flames.
Shortly after the incident, the department got a tip leading to the teenager's arrest. Walking out of the restaurant before the fire started, the 17-year-old enter the business. No one else was present, and there were no injuries reported. Police have since released the suspect to his parents, as per WNEM.
Police Chief Charlotte Brown informed ABC12 that the teen is expected to face juvenile charges. Assisting with putting out the fire, crews from Flushing, Flint Township, Mt. Morris Township, and Gaines Township were called. The business has been described as a family-owned establishment, specializing in dishes such as pork ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and beef brisket.
While the official cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed, Sgt. Troy Belanger plans to file a complaint with the Genesee County Prosecutor’s Office against the youth, indicating the fire's intentional nature. "It was pretty apparent" the fire was intentional, stated Belanger, noting damage that seemed suspicious. Homeboy Barbeque had been a staple of the community, even being voted as one of the county's top barbecue restaurants in 2012, as mlive pointed out.
