BIG RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office says investigators have determined that a fire in Big Rapids Township on Wednesday morning was intentionally set.
Firefighters from multiple departments responded around 8:40 a.m. to the Circle Drive Mobile Home Park on 185th Avenue. Sheriff Brian Miller tells WOOD Radio that 69-year-old Keith Gale Totten Sr. and his 32-year-old son were found dead inside after firefighters put out the fire.
Sheriff's investigators say the father appeared to have died of natural cause prior to the fire, but the 32-year-old's death was ruled a suicide.
The Sheriff's Office issued a public statement:
"The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office would like to assure people there were no other parties involved and there is no danger to the public
The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Michigan State Police Crime Lab (Grand Rapids), Big Rapids Township Fire, the City of Big Rapids Fire, Mecosta Township Fire, Morton Township Fire, the Mecosta-Osceola County Victim Services Unit, the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office Posse, Mecosta County EMS and Meceola Central Dispatch and the Mid-Michigan Medical Examiner Group for the assistance provided throughout the investigation."
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