At least one believed dead after house fire

LUDINGTON – At least one person is believed dead following a house fire at 506 S. George St. Ludington Fire Department was called to the scene just before 11 p.m. At that time most of the fire appeared contained to the second floor.

Fire Chief Jerry Funk would not comment on the fire, nor would he state if there were any fatalities. However, firefighters and police cordoned off the area with yellow police line even while still fighting the fire, typically that is not done until after a fire is extinguised. Ludington Police Detective J.B. Wells and Police Capt. Mike Harrie were on the scene as was someone from the Mason County medical examiner’s office. Later, a Michigan State Police fire marshal along with a state police K-9 unit arrived.

The home was occupied by brothers Tim and Pat Mohr. Tim lived on the second floor and Pat lived on the first floor, neighbors said.

Witnesses said they could hear a person yelling from the second floor of the two-story house. Apparently a bystander attempted to go into the house and rescue the person but had to exit due to heavy smoke.

When the fire department was dispatched, they were informed by Mason-Oceana 911 that fireworks and ammunition were in the home. The fire department indicated that two people were in the home.

About 1:30 a.m. Life EMS ambulance took a patient into the ambulance. The man was on prescribed oxygen. A witness told MCP that the person was Pat Mohr.

Funk said Ludington fire and police departments will issue a joint press release this morning about 8 a.m.