1 killed in Ypsilanti Township fire that broke out early Sunday
Update: Victim identified in fatal fire One person died in a house fire that started at about 3:19 a.m. Sunday at 1600 Margarita in Ypsilanti Township.
The blaze in the one-story home was reported by neighbors, Fire Marshal Vic Chevrette said.
As firefighters arrived, the fire "was about 75 percent involved," he said. "It was through the roof."
Deputies from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department were on the scene just before firefighters, Chevrette said, and they, along with firefighters, tried to go into the house to save the resident.
"(Deputies) kicked in the door," Chevrette said, "but the heat was too much for them."
It appears that the fire started in the back bedroom, Chevrette said, but it remains under investigation today. A final determination of the cause is pending.
The Washtenaw County Medical Examiner's office also was on the scene Sunday, Chevrette said, as they try to identify the victim.
The home had been occupied by a retired man, Chevrette said, and he lived alone. Only one person was in the home at the time of the fire, he added.
The location is near Grove Road and South Harris, north of Ford Lake.
Firefighters from Ypsilanti and Superior Township assisted the township crews.
The incident is the latest among several fatal fires affecting older adults this year. The most recent was Monday, Aug. 8, when an older man was found dead on Commonwealth in Ypsilanti Township following a fire in his kitchen. An 85-year-old woman died in February when her home on Stony Creek caught fire, and an 81-year-old woman was killed in May in Ypsilanti after a fire in her home.
Comments
ypsi_north
Tue, Aug 16, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
Thats just a few of the deaths there was was a young lady on the next street over from mine who died in a fire at Christmas. Thats two in my neighborhood in the last nine months. It would be interesting to see how many deaths since the number of firefighters has gone down. Such a shame and horrible way to die. RIP
Tony Martin
Mon, Aug 15, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.
Does anyone think the staffing cuts at the fire Dept may have contributed to any of these deaths? Just curious .
PatK
Mon, Aug 15, 2011 : 4 p.m.
Yes there were smoke detectors in the house but he was on pain medication and he was very heavy sleeper, plus he also had a bad habit of smoking in bed. The news never printed his name but it was on the TV news. His name is Roger Kwiecinski he was 63 years old and he worked at GM Willow Run plant for over 30 years he was also a Vietnam Veteran. I was his wife for 28 years but we got a divorce several years ago. What a terrible tragedy!!
OLDTIMER3
Mon, Aug 15, 2011 : 11:54 a.m.
What ever was decided at the Stony creek rd fire? The last we heard it was still being investigated as to the cause!
A2comments
Mon, Aug 15, 2011 : 10:55 a.m.
A terrible tragedy. Was the home equipped with smoke detectors, and were they working? Make sure you have working smoke detectors in every bedroom, and on every floor, as well as CO detectors and fire extinguishers.