Excitement swept across Michigan as college basketball enthusiasts ignited couches and hay bales in jubilant celebrations following the state’s first national basketball championship in nearly four decades.
In Ann Arbor, emergency crews had to extinguish 40 fires on Monday night, leading to the arrest of two individuals, according to reports from MLive.
Following the Wolverines’ thrilling 69-63 victory over the UConn Huskies in Indianapolis, fans flooded the streets, setting off fireworks to mark the momentous occasion—the first title win since 1989.
Footage from Fox2 captured fire crews tackling the flames engulfing couches, a testament to the night’s fervor.
Chris Page, a spokesperson for the Ann Arbor police, informed MLive that one individual was taken into custody for arson, while another faced charges of disorderly conduct.
Enthusiastic revelers also caused damage to street signs and took to climbing trees in their exuberance.
Andre Anderson, the Ann Arbor police chief, warned fans about their conduct before the final.
“My message as your police chief is to enjoy the historic matchup, and be mindful of disruptive behavior, public intoxication, and property damage,” he said.
Michigan reached the final of the NCAA tournament after defeating Arizona by a margin of 91 to 73 on Saturday.
Cops were already on high alert prior to the Final Four matchup.
Fans were warned not to walk around with open cans of alcohol on public streets, and police told those intent on brawling to stay away from Ann Arbor.
“Sometimes we get sporadic fights that break out for whatever reason, but we have a specific plan to address those,” Sgt. Jim Anuszkiewicz, said.
“So please, if you’re going to do those kinds of activities, don’t come to downtown Ann Arbor.”
