Person of interest arrested in connection to fatal fire. 

Snyder

Person of interest arrested in connection to fatal fire. 

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

Update: Victim in fire has been identified as Jeffrey Grant, 57.

LUDINGTON — A 40-year-old Chippewa County woman has been arrested as a person of interest in connection to a fatal fire that took place in Sheridan Township last week. Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole said a police officer with the Saginaw Police Department located located the 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche, which had been reported stolen from the Nov. 22 fire at 3746 N. Morse Rd., in a parking lot in Saginaw. 

“Detectives with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office worked through the weekend tracking down leads and following up on tips located a person of interest in the stolen auto complaint,” Cole said. 

As a result, Hope Lynn Snyder of 81 Kincheloe Drive, Kincheloe was located in Detroit by MCSO detectives. The Mason County Prosecutor’s Office authorized an arrest warrant for unlawfully driving away an automobile for Snyder, who was transported back to the Mason County Jail. 

Snyder was arraigned in 79th District Court on Sunday, Nov. 28, with bail set at $25,000 cash. A probable cause hearing was set for 11:15 a.m. on Dec. 8. 

The fire resulted in the death of Jeffrey Grant, 57 , according to 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 because of 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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