Saw this in the local paper back before Christmas but never got a chance to post it. Here it is, a tragic tale for your reading pleasure.
Alleged dispute results in fire
NATIONAL MINE — An alleged domestic dispute turned into a blazing inferno early Tuesday morning, leading to the total loss of a National Mine home.
According to the Michigan State Police, a dispute between homeowner Steven Rautio and his girlfriend ended up with Rautio using a chainsaw to cut up the Christmas tree before stuffing it into the woodstove along with various Christmas decorations. A fire resulted and burned the home at 3090 County Road 476 to the ground, police said
“The house was fully engulfed by the time I arrived on the scene,” said trooper Brian Muladore of the Negaunee Post, who responded at approximately 7:15 a.m. “The homeowner was being combative with the firefighters who were on the scene as they tried to stop him from going back to the fire. Eventually, I had to restrain him and lead him away from the house.”
Rautio was transported to Bell Hospital to be treated for minor injuries sustained during the alleged domestic dispute, police said.
No charges have been filed in the case, but Muladore said the investigation continues.
“I wasn’t able to complete a full interview with either person involved,” he said. “I’ll be continuing that process today. The prosecutor will then consider charges.”
The man and his girlfriend were taken by family members to separate locations, Muladore said.
Fighting the fire were members of the Ishpeming Township Fire Department, the Richmond Township Fire Department and the Marquette County Rescue Unit.
Alleged dispute results in fire
NATIONAL MINE — An alleged domestic dispute turned into a blazing inferno early Tuesday morning, leading to the total loss of a National Mine home.
According to the Michigan State Police, a dispute between homeowner Steven Rautio and his girlfriend ended up with Rautio using a chainsaw to cut up the Christmas tree before stuffing it into the woodstove along with various Christmas decorations. A fire resulted and burned the home at 3090 County Road 476 to the ground, police said
“The house was fully engulfed by the time I arrived on the scene,” said trooper Brian Muladore of the Negaunee Post, who responded at approximately 7:15 a.m. “The homeowner was being combative with the firefighters who were on the scene as they tried to stop him from going back to the fire. Eventually, I had to restrain him and lead him away from the house.”
Rautio was transported to Bell Hospital to be treated for minor injuries sustained during the alleged domestic dispute, police said.
No charges have been filed in the case, but Muladore said the investigation continues.
“I wasn’t able to complete a full interview with either person involved,” he said. “I’ll be continuing that process today. The prosecutor will then consider charges.”
The man and his girlfriend were taken by family members to separate locations, Muladore said.
Fighting the fire were members of the Ishpeming Township Fire Department, the Richmond Township Fire Department and the Marquette County Rescue Unit.
