One dead following Sheridan Twp. house fire

One dead following Sheridan Twp. house fire

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief

SHERIDAN TOWNSHIP — A 60-year-old woman died during a house fire Monday afternoon near Tallman Lake in Sheridan Township. Firefighters were initially dispatched to 6590 N. Beech St. at 12:50 p.m.

The 60-year-old woman had called 911 to report the fire. She had exited the house but then re-entered the house to retrieve a cat or cats, according to Michigan State Police Trooper Matt Demny, on scene. She remained on 911 but then lost contact with the emergency dispatch technician, Demny said.

According to equalization reports, the home is owned by Bernard Bovee, who was not home at the time of the fire. The woman, who’s identity has not yet been released, was reportedly in a relationship with Bovee, who came on scene and became distraught, causing law enforcement officers to detain him in a patrol vehicle.

Fountain Area Fire Department Chief Jeremy Goble said firefighters were able to knock down the majority of the fire quickly.

“We were able to contain the fire in about 20 minutes. At the same time, we started search and rescue of the victim,” Goble said. After the victim was located and brought outside of the house, EMS personnel attempted CPR.

Emergency units responding to the scene included Michigan State Police, Fountain Area Fire Department, Custer Fire Department, Branch Fire Department, Scottville Fire Department, Free Soil/Meade Fire Department, Mason County Sheriff’s Office, and Life EMS. Also assisting on scene were Mason County Victim Services Unit, Fountain Fire Department Auxiliary and Great Lakes Energy.

Demny said the Mason County medical examiner was expected on scene and two Michigan State Police fire marshals from Grand Rapids had been dispatched. Goble said he did not know the cause of the fire or the location of its origins and expected the fire marshals would make those determinations.

UPDATED INFORMATION: Fire marshals have determined that the fire started in the house’s living room, but the cause has not yet been determined. Police also confirmed that two teenagers related to the homeowner, were living on the property, but were not home at the time of the fire.

Today’s fire was not the first fire to occur at the house. On March 4, 2020, firefighters declared the house a total loss following a fire, which, according to Goble, started near a wood stove.

More information will be released when it becomes available.

The last fatal fire in that area occurred in November 2021 at 3746 N. Morse Rd. Jeffrey Grant, 57, died in that fire which was determined to be arson. The suspect in that case remains in jail awaiting trial.

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