10:30 a.m. UPDATE:
The Kent County Sheriff's Office says a four-year-old boy has died following the house fire in Vergennes Township early Friday morning.
The KCSO reports the following information was provided by the Lowell Area Fire Department:
Investigators say a woman called county dispatch at 12:31 a.m. to say her boyfriend and a child were still in the house. Lowell Area firefighters arrived moments later to find the house in flames and a 27-year-old man in critical condition because of burns. There was heavy smoke and it took a while for firefighters to find the boy inside the home. By then, he was dead.
The Lowell Area Fire Chief, Shannon Witherall, says a firefighter suffered minor burns during the effort to retrieve the child. And the boy's 27-year-old father remains in critical condition at a hospital. A 27-year-old woman, along with a 64-year-old man, and a 54-year-old woman were also taken to an area hospital for smoke inhalation and were later released.
In a news release, the Lowell Area Fire Department and KCSO said, "Lowell Area Fire is being assisted by, KCSO detectives, and Michigan State Police Fire Investigators who will determine the origin and cause of the fire. Many thanks to the several area fire departments and Rockford Ambulance for their efforts during this difficult time. "
--------------------------------------------------------------Earlier report:
VERGENNES TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- A fire near Lowell has claimed at least one life this morning.
It happened at a house on Flat River Drive, south of Vergennes Street. That is near the Lowell City Airport in Vergennes Township. Firefighters from multiple departments responded right after the fire was reported around 12:30 a.m., including those from Lowell and Ada. There is no indication yet what started the fire.
Our partners at WOOD-TV have been following the story at the scene of the fire. You can view the latest updates on their webpage.