A 74-year old Lexington Township man is dead after a four-alarm fire destroyed a home Wednesday morning.
Applegate Fire Department members were dispatched just before 7:00 a.m. Wednesday morning after a call from an alarm company reported a fire alarm at 5176 E. Aitken Road in Sanilac County’s Lexington Township.
Upon arrival, a deputy with the Sheriff Department observed the home fully engulfed. A 47-year old male who lived in the home told police that he had woken up to a smoke filled home, and had to crawl out in order to escape the home. A hunter in the area noticed the flames and came out of the woods to assist the 47-year old in rescuing the 74-year old homeowner trapped in the home, but they were unsuccessful.
The 74-year old male was later located and pronounced deceased at the scene. Initial investigation has determined that the fire may have been caused by a fireplace in the home.
Firefighters from the Applegate Fire Department, Croswell Fire Department, Carsonville Fire Department, Port Sanilac Fire Department, and Lexington Fire Department worked through the morning to extinguish the blaze, clearing the scene just before 4:00 p.m. The Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division also assisted at the scene. The fire remains under investigation.
