MECOSTA COUNTY (WWJ) - The death of an 80-year-old man in a West Michigan house fire was ruled accidental by authorities who determined the man was welding in his workshop when the fire started on Monday afternoon.
The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office said the fire broke out at a home in Mecosta Township, roughly 40 miles west of Mt. Pleasant, off Old State Road around 3:17 p.m. on Sept. 19.
Multiple calls made to 911 stated heavy smoke was coming from a home in the area. As crews from Big Rapids City Fire, Big Rapids Township Fire, and Morley Area Fire Department were en route to the address, another report stated that a person was possibly trapped inside.
Mecosta County EMS and the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office were also dispatched to the scene where emergency personnel were met with a "fully involved structure fire," the sheriff's office said.
"Upon arrival, personnel were hearing explosions and the roof of the structure was already beginning to collapse., deputies said in an prepared statement about the incident. "The responding fire departments were able to quickly knock down the fire and began to conduct a search of the area for the missing resident."
A short while later, fire crews found the resident, an 80-year-old man from Stanwood, deceased.
According to an initial investigation, fire crews determined the 80-year-old man was welding in his workshop when the flames broke out. The man had mobility issues, deputies stated, and was unable to escape the fire.
The fire was not suspicious and was ruled an accident, the sheriff's office added.
The incident prompted a massive emergency response, officials said. In addition to the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office, deputies were helped by Mecosta Township Fire / Rescue, Big Rapids Department of Public Safety – Fire Division, Big Rapids Township Fire, Morley Area, Fire Department, Mecosta County EMS, Meceola Central Dispatch, Mecosta County Sheriff's Office Fire Investigation Team, Mecosta County Sheriff's Office Victim’s Services Unit, Mecosta Fire Chief’s Association Chaplin, the American Red Cross, Mohnke Funeral Home, and the Mid-Michigan Medical Examiner Group.