PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Fire crews tell 13 ON YOUR SIDE a man has died following a fire that started late Sunday night in Plainfield Township.
The fire started in the 4900 block of Plainfield Ave. NE in a building near several businesses just after 11 p.m. Sunday. Our crew at the scene says it appears the fire started above the Farm Bureau insurance agency building at 4976 Plainfield Ave. NE.
A firefighter on scene told 13 ON YOUR SIDE there are two apartment units above the business. A mother and her two children were able to make it out of one of the units, but an elderly man in the other unit was not able to make it out and died during the fire.
Police have identified the man as 71-year-old Steven Dood. The Kent County Medical Examiner's Office says he died from smoke inhalation.
Investigators believe the fire began in the upper levels of the building, but the investigation is still underway. It is unclear what caused the fire.
Approximately 50% to 75% of the building was damaged by the fire, according to authorities, and it took about two hours to contain it.
Fire authorities remind the community smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing deaths and injuries. If you need smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms, call Plainfield Fire Department at (616) 361-2895.
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