Fire damages vehicles, garage in Riverton.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

RIVERTON TOWNSHIP — Chris and Norm Sanford had an enjoyable day showing their 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS at the Onekama Days car show. Norm spent years restoring the car, which the two drove on their honeymoon in September 1970. They returned from the car show to their home at 2233 S. Lister Road and Norm took a nap while Chris went grocery shopping.

Norm woke up to the smell of smoke about 5 p.m. and discovered the unattached garage on fire, with the Chevelle in it. The garage is located only a few feet away from the home they have live in since 1974.

When Mason County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dan Dice arrived on scene the garage was fully engulfed. “I could hear Riverton Fire Department coming,” Dice said. The first fire unit on scene reported the fire had spread to the house, however, firefighters quickly contained it to the garage.

“I was driving home on Chauvez and was passed by fire trucks,” Chris said. “They were turning down Lister and I began to worry.” There are only a few houses on Lister north of Chauvez Road. “Anything in there is replaceable,” she said. “I’m just thankful no one was hurt.”

Riverton Township and Pere Marquette Township fire departments were dispatched. Also on scene, beside MCSO, was Michigan State Police.

Riverton Fire Chief Joe Cooper said, he believed the cause of the fire was electrical.

The fire destroyed a Chevrolet Sierra pickup truck and severely damaged the Chevelle. Many tools and other items were also damaged, including a John Deere garden tractor. The garage, while damaged, was still intact.