Fatal fire originated in kitchen of upstairs apartment
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
SHELBY — The apartment fire earlier this month that killed Erasmo Valencia, 38, originated in the kitchen of his upstairs apartment, said Shelby-Benona Fire Chief Jack White.
“The investigation on the fire on Michigan Avenue is complete,” said Chief White. “They were able to determine the area of origin to be in the area of the kitchen. But due to the amount of burn, they were unable to determine actually what started the fire. The gentleman was known to do cooking in that area, and so possibly something may have been left on the stove. But he was also a smoker and tended to also sit and smoke at the table there. They couldn’t rule out anything or come down to a definitive cause, but the area of origin was in the kitchen of the second-floor apartment.”
The State of Michigan Fire Marshal’s Office conducted the investigation.
Valencia was extricated from the apartment by firefighters and turned over to Life EMS paramedics who transported him to Trinity Health Lakeshore Hospital about a block away from the scene where he was pronounced dead.
The other 13 residents in the three-apartment home were able to escape unharmed.
The Feb. 5 blaze was battled by 45 firefighters from five departments. The large apartment house is a total loss, said the chief, and the site will be demolished. There were no working smoke detectors in the building. “The department reminds everyone that working smoke detectors save lives. If you or someone you know needs some, contact the Shelby-Benona Fire Department.”
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