One dead following Sheridan Twp. house fire. 

One dead following Sheridan Twp. house fire. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP — One person is dead following a morning house fire at 3746 N. Morse Rd. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole, who was on scene, confirmed that a body was found inside the building but, while they have an indication of who the deceased may be, the identification of the body cannot be confirmed. Cole said the sheriff’s office has been in contact with the home occupant’s family members, some of whom were on scene. Cole said more information will be released when it becomes available. 

A Michigan State Police fire marshal was on scene this afternoon investigating the possible cause of the fire. The Mason County Sheriff’s Office detective bureau was also on scene. 

Branch Township Fire Department Assistant Chief Luke McVicker, who was in command of the firefighting efforts, said the fire appeared to have started near the center of the small house, which is owned by Jason Stickney of Stickney Properties, LLC. Stickney did not live in the house, deputies said. 

McVicker said when he arrived on scene, heavy smoke was coming from the eaves. Initial dispatch information stated smoke was coming from the attic area of the house. McVicker said firefighters were unable to conduct an interior attack of the fire due to many obstacles in the home, making it dangerous for firefighters’ safety. 

McVicker said there was no indication in the early stages of the fire that the home was occupied, until family members arrived. 

Fountain Area Fire Department and Branch Township Fire Department were initially called to the house at 9:12 a.m. Custer Fire Department and Free Soil/Meade Fire Department were also called to assist along with Mason County Sheriff’s Office and the Fountain Fire Department Auxiliary. The Pere Marquette Township Fire Department ladder truck was called later to assist investigators to document the scene. 

The fire remains under investigation. 

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