Oil cooker blamed for lakeshore house fire.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief. 

UPDATED at 6:47 p.m.: SUMMIT TOWNSHIP — A lakeshore home was destroyed by fire Wednesday around 3 p.m. Home owner Patrick Karp said he was heating up cooking oil in his garage at 4725 S. Lakeshore Drive when he left the cooker momentarily. A few minutes later his garage was on fire, which spread to the house that overlooks Lake Michigan. The house is located between Hawley and Olmstead roads.

Riverton, Pere Marquette, Pentwater and Ludington fire departments responded to the scene. Life EMS ambulance also responded. Firefighters cleared at 6:45 p.m.

Karp said the house is insured. Riverton Fire Chief Joe Cooper said the house was a total loss.