Zimmy's Tavern employee remains optimistic about future, amid reveal of fire cause
UNION, Mich. -- What once was a second home for many residents in Union, Zimmy’s Tavern, is now littered with ‘do not enter’ signs on the fence surrounding what’s left of it.
On Wednesday, The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed Zimmy's Tavern in Union was destroyed by a natural gas-fueled explosion and fire on July 28 around 6:28 a.m.
This has left a hole in the Union community, especially for Tavern employees like Tina Stoltz.
“I have all the customers saying to me, “where are we going to go now,” Stoltz said.
In her 22 years of working at Zimmy’s Tavern, Stoltz says she recalls smelling gas on previous occasions.
“It smelled like gas before,” Stoltz said. “Around here, it’s amazing how much they don’t seem to care.”
Today, the National Transportation Safety Board released a statement, confirming the smells Stoltz was experiencing wasn’t imaginary.
The NTSB stated,
“AltaGas field personnel conducted bar-hole testing to investigate the source of the leak. They identified and excavated around the suspected leak location, a section of pipe about 60 feet from the accident building.”
The incident remains under investigation while the NTSB determines the probable cause to issue safety recommendations to prevent future incidents.
But, for Stoltz, she is ready to move on by getting back to the place that gave her so much joy.
“We want it over, we want it done, we want to rebuild, and we want the insurance company to come over and get it done,” Stoltz said. “I just want to go back to work.”