One man is dead following a residential structure fire in the city of Lapeer just before noon yesterday, February 27.
The Lapeer County Central Dispatch received a call reporting a fire in the 200 block of Turrill Avenue in Lapeer, with initial reports indicating that smoke was coming from the doorway. City police arrived at the scene first and found indications that the home was occupied, such as a car in the driveway, with a neighbor confirming that the homeowner was home during the day, often sleeping after their night shift work.
Though Lapeer City Fire and Rescue, as well as Elba Township Fire and Rescue, responded to the scene soon after, a second alarm was activated once it was learned the home was occupied, bringing in additional aid from Metamora Township’s fire department. Arriving just before 12:05, fire crews quickly began search and rescue efforts as smoke was observed coming from the home.
The crews found and removed a male resident from the home, but the man, later identified as 50-year-old Richard Conger II, succumbed to his injuries despite life-saving measures. Conger was the only occupant of the home, and the only one inside at the time of the fire.
There were no other injuries reported and the fire was contained to the house. The origin and cause of this fire remains under investigation.
