Sheriff’s office seeks help identifying vehicle linked to fatal fire.

Sheriff’s office seeks help identifying vehicle linked to fatal fire.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

LUDINGTON — The Mason County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing vehicle from the scene of a fire that resulted in death Monday morning. Detectives are attempting to locate a black 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche pick-up truck with Michigan license plate registration EKN 1646. The vehicle has an aftermarket fog light system on the front bumper (see photograph). The vehicle has been reported as stolen. 

The fire at 3746 N. Morse Rd. in Sherman Township on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021 resulted in one death, according to Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole. A Michigan State Police fire marshal was on scene that 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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