Man who died in Kentwood fire had advanced case of Lou Gehrig's disease
by The Grand Rapids Press
Thursday January 08, 2009, 6:52 PM


KENTWOOD -- A 68-year-old disabled man and his dog were found dead inside a Southeast Side duplex today as firefighters entered the building to extinguish flames on the structure's main floor.

The victim, whose identity was not released, was in a living area and did not appear to have tried to escape the blaze, Kentwood Fire Chief James Carr said.

Authorities were alerted to heavy smoke coming from the 4761 Stauffer Ave. SE residence about 3:45 p.m.

Firefighters encountered the living room engulfed in flames during search-and-rescue efforts. Carr said crews believed the home was unoccupied, but that did not change their response.

"We went in there like we normally would because you never know," the chief said.

A Friday autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death. Carr said the victim was burned but that intense heat and smoke could be responsible for his death.

Neighbors said the victim had an advanced case of Lou Gehrig's disease, a progressive neurological disease that robs the brain's ability to send messages to the spinal cord and muscles.

The man lived alone after his wife died in 2006, neighbors said.

The owners of the duplex, John and Betty Boerma, were not home at the time of the fire. They winter in Florida and had rented the other side of their home to the victim for years, neighbors said.

"This is just so sad," said Pat Heemstra, who lives across the street from the man and called 911. "I didn't see any fire, but there was a lot of smoke. I knew if he was in there, he wouldn't be able to get out himself."

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