By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
PLAINWELL—A fire at an apartment building in Plainwell on Saturday, Nov. 5, claimed the life of an elderly woman.
At approximately 11:19 p.m., Plainwell Department of Public Safety officers and firefighters responded to Koehler Crossing in the 1100 block of North Main Street following a report of smoke coming from an apartment building.
After locating and extinguished a small fire inside an apartment, emergency personnel discovered an elderly female. The victim was “obviously deceased,” according to Plainwell Department of Public Safety director Kevin Callahan.
The Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit was called to the scene to assist with fire cause determination. Evidence from the initial investigation indicated that the fire could be related to cigarette smoking and an oxygen generator, but the final determination will be made once the investigation is completed.
An autopsy will determine the cause of death.
The name of the 73-year-old victim was not released prior to publication.
The apartment building was evacuated as emergency crews put out the fire, but all residents were allowed to return inside once the fire was out and the building declared safe.
Gun Plain Fire Department, Plainwell EMS, the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office and Allegan County Central Dispatch assisted the Plainwell Department of Public Safety.