MECOSTA COUNTY — A structure fire claimed the life of an elderly woman late Monday night in Aetna Township, near Morley. Crews were called to the deadly fire around 11:00 p.m. at 754 220th Ave.
Emergency personnel from several departments, including Big Rapids, Lakeview, Mecosta, Morley and Morton Fire, responded to the blaze. Upon arrival, responders found the residence fully engulfed in flames and were able to locate the deceased resident, an elderly female who had mobility issues and could not escape the fire. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office’s Fire Investigation Team, but it is not considered suspicious at this time.
Fire crews from multiple departments joined efforts to combat the fully involved structure fire, with responders attempting to control the situation as quickly as possible. The collaboration between local fire departments showcased a strong mutual aid response in handling the emergency.
The elderly female resident was unable to escape due to mobility challenges, presenting a tragic outcome in this incident. Further details about her identity have not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, led by the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from various agencies including the Mecosta County EMS and the MidMichigan Medical Examiner Group. The sheriff’s office has confirmed that no foul play is suspected at this point.
The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office will continue their investigation into the fire to determine its cause. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.