LANSING — A late-night fire that destroyed an ice cream shop on Lansing's south side started with an underground natural gas leak, fire officials said.

The blaze started around 11 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, at Frosty Korner on South Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard at West Barnes Avenue.

Firefighters called in an excavator as they worked to attack the flames because they needed to dig below grade to get to the source of the leak, Lansing Fire Chief Brian Sturdivant said. Flames were extending up the side of the building all the way to the soffit, he said.

The business was closed for the season, and no one was inside the building when the fire happened, Sturdivant said.

No injuries were reported.

Sturdivant said the building appeared to be a total loss. It was unclear what ignited the le

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