ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Escanaba Public Safety Department has provided an update on the cause of an apartment fire last month.
On February 28, officers responded to an active smoke alarm and the smell of smoke at Harbor Tower Apartments. The fire was quickly extinguished, preventing it from spreading through the building.
Two individuals were injured during the incident. A Public Safety officer who sustained injuries while responding to the scene made a full recovery. An injured Harbor Tower resident initially transported to OSF Hospital was later transferred to a burn trauma unit in Milwaukee. They remain in critical but stable condition.
Through an investigation, Escanaba Public Safety determined that the source of ignition was “accidental human” introduced. Investigators believe the fire likely originated in a lounge chair within a living room area. Evidence suggests the ignition source may have been an ignited cigarette or smoking device used by an individual seated in the chair.
Escanaba Public Safety reminds citizens to practice fire safety and to properly dispose of smoking materials.
