The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a house explosion early Wednesday morning as a possible hate crime after racial slurs and a swastika were found spray-painted on the garage and a neighboring garage.
The Sterling Fire District responded at 12:36 a.m. to 6743 Spruce St. and found the house, which was unoccupied at the time of the explosion, fully involved and knocked to the ground, Fire Chief Josh Glessner said. The home was reduced to rubble.
No injuries were reported.
There had been an electrical fire at the home on July 3 and the house was being repaired, authorities said.
The power and gas had been shut off, leading firefighters to suspect arson.