Fire on Russell Court in Standish Township leaves one dead
STANDISH TOWNSHIP — A house fire at 3465 Russell Ct. in Standish Township has resulted in one death according to the Arenac County Sheriff’s Department.
Francis Evelyn Toenniges, 96, was pronounced dead at Saint Mary’s of Michigan Standish Hospital Friday afternoon. The cause of death appears to be smoke inhalation Arenac County Undersheriff Donald McIntyre said.
The fire is being investigated by the Michigan State Fire Marshal. McIntyre said the fire appears to have started near the home’s woodstove.
“Right now it looks like the fire was started by the woodstove,” he said.
McIntyre said it appears that Toenniges attempted to put the fire out. He added that the fire was discovered and reported by a man delivering food to Tonniges.
The Standish Area Fire Authority, the Arenac County Sheriff’s Department, and Mobile Medical Response responded to the fire off of Pine River Road in Standish Township at around 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Check back for further updates and information in the Arenac County Independent Wednesday.