Iron River, Michigan – Deputies from the Iron County Sheriff’s Department and troopers from the Michigan State Police, Iron Mountain Post, responded to an explosion at 820 Cayuga St. in the City of Iron River around 9:30 pm CST on 2/10/24. The explosion caused extensive damage to the residence, with debris scattered up to three blocks away. Fire departments from Iron and Dickinson Counties were called to the scene, along with additional law enforcement and fire investigator units.
The authorities discovered the home mostly destroyed upon arrival and immediately began searching for potential victims. Tragically, an 80-year-old man, who had recently relocated from Florida, was confirmed as the sole fatality. While the authorities do not suspect foul play at this time, the fire is under investigation by the Iron River City Police with assistance from the MSP Fire Investigator.
The Iron River City Fire Dept, along with several other fire departments, worked diligently to contain the fire and assess the extent of the damage. In a joint effort, troopers from neighboring posts, MSP K9 units, and the 8th District MSP Fire Investigator provided support in the investigation.
The deceased victim had just moved into the home, making the situation even more heartbreaking. The community has been deeply affected by the tragic event, and authorities are working to determine the cause of the explosion and fire. As the investigation unfolds, the Iron County Sheriff’s Department and Michigan State Police will continue to provide updates on the incident.