A woman has succumbed to injuries from an apartment fire in Au Gres last weekend, confirmed by the Au Gres-Sims-Whitney Fire Department. The incident, which unfolded in the early hours of Sunday at Riverside Manor Apartments, tragically concluded with the victim passing away yesterday.
Fire Chief Kurt Humerickhouse informed ABC12 that the woman, who was on home oxygen therapy, was smoking when the fire erupted, which is likely to have sparked the blaze. The fire had engulfed the building, displacing 16 families and sending eight people, including the now-deceased woman, to the hospital. The fire chief could not completely confirm whether any of the other residents were still hospitalized.
After the fire, the displaced residents found temporary refuge at a Red Cross shelter near Sterling. Community response ensued with donations and support flowing in for the impacted residents. According to a WNEM report, collection points like The Closet Exchange have been actively receiving contributions. Additionally, local Facebook pages, such as "It Takes a Village – Arenac" and the "Arenac Community Crisis Response," offer avenues to aid those affected.
The community's generosity especially shone through when Arenac Christmas for Kids had to pause its collection efforts, overwhelmed by the bounty of contributions intended to provide Christmas presents to children who had lost their belongings in the fire. "The victim was on oxygen and smoking in her apartment, which was likely the cause of the fire," reiterates Chief Humerickhouse in a statement given to Mid-Michigan NOW. With the remaining victims expected to survive, the community has rallied to extend a hand to those who endured this pre-Christmas calamity.
Aside from the personal tragedies and displacements, the incident has brought to light potential hazards associated with smoking while using home oxygen.
