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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
LUDINGTON — A 52-year-old Ludington man has been arrested in connection to an arson investigation at a fire that occurred at 205 N. Gaylord Ave. Wednesday evening. The man is also a suspect in a domestic assault and child abuse case.
Three fire departments responded to a house fire at 205 N. Gaylord Ave. Wednesday evening. Ludington Fire Department was initially called to the residence at 10:01 p.m. Initial dispatch information indicated that it was unknown if anyone was at the house. Firefighters later confirmed that the house was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The front of the house was engulfed in fire upon the arrival of the first fire unit.
Prior to the fire call, Ludington Police Department officers had responded to a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of East Tinkham Avenue. Upon arrive, officer discovered that a 52-year-old Ludington man had assaulted both a juvenile and a 52-year-old woman before fleeing the scene, according to Ludington Police Chief Chris Jones.
“The investigation suggested that the suspect might be at a residence in the 200 block of North Gaylord Avenue, where he was reportedly damaging property and potentially intending self-harm,” Jones said.
As police officers were en-route to locate the suspect on North Gaylord Avenue, Mason-Oceana 911 dispatched LPD and Ludington Fire Department to the house fire in that same block.
“Upon arrival, responders found the residence fully engulfed in flames,” Jones said. First units to arrive were officers from LPD and deputies from Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
“Due to the intense heat and fire conditions, officers and deputies could not enter the building and instead focused on evacuating nearby homes and establishing a perimeter,” Jones said.
Jones said LPD officers informed Ludington Fire Chief John Henderson that there was a possibility of a person inside the house.
“The first engine company conducted a brief primary search of the first floor but had to withdraw due to severe fire conditions,” Jones said. “After a quick knockdown of the fire, a more thorough search was conducted, revealing no one in the residence.”
Firefighters were able to control the fire within 15 minutes of the initial call. However, fire had severely damaged the historic home.
“After being advised that no one was located inside the residence, LPD officers, Mason County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and Michigan State Police troopers began an extensive search for the suspect,” Jones said. “Shortly after, a person matching the suspect’s description was found in the 200 block of South Lakeshore Drive by MSP troopers. The individual was positively identified as the suspect in the domestic assault, child abuse, and arson investigations.”
Jones said the suspect was transported by Life EMS to Corewell Health Ludington Hospital for a medical evaluation. Following this, he suspect was arrested and taken to the Mason County Jail, pending arraignment.
Emergency units responding to the scene included Ludington Fire Department, Pere Marquette Township Fire Department, Hamlin Township Fire Department, Ludington Police Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police and Life EMS ambulance. Also responding to the scene was a crew from Consumers Energy.
UPDATE: Ludington Fire Department was called back twice to the residence, at 5:29 a.m. and again at 6:15 a.m. At 6:26 a.m. Pere Marquette Township Fire Department and Hamlin Fire Department were also dispatched to assist.
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