Ailing man likely unable to flee burning house
Friday, January 09, 2009
By Nate Reens
The Grand Rapids Press
KENTWOOD -- Even as Lou Gehrig's disease robbed David Johnson's ability to care for himself, he remained resolute to stay in his home so he would not abandon a dog he had for years.

The 68-year-old man and his pet died Thursday when flames started from a candle or a cigarette trapped them inside Johnson's duplex, Kentwood Fire Chief James Carr said.

Carr did not immediately identify Johnson as the victim, pending an autopsy today, but neighbors and the man's landlord said Johnson lived alone at the 4761 Stauffer Ave. SE residence.

Johnson 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.

He had caretakers come to the house daily to tend to him, and they or neighbors would walk the dog after Johnson could no longer perform the task.

Pat Heemstra, who lives across the street from Johnson and called 911 when a motorist banged on her door, said Johnson did not want to leave the animal.

"This is just so sad," Heemstra said. "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."

Carr said it didn't appear the victim tried to escape the fire that engulfed his main-floor living area.

Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and fire inside the residence about 3.45 p.m.

A man's body was found during search-and-rescue efforts while the fire burned, Carr said.

Authorities said the victim was burned, but his death could have been the result of intense heat and smoke inhalation.

Johnson's wife died in 2006 and his disease progressed to the point that neighbors rarely saw him, neighbor Aldo Gomez said.

"Before, he was walking the dog all the time," Gomez said.

Johnson, a Kent City native and an Air Force veteran, lived in the house for about 27 years, owner John Boerma said from his Florida home.

"He was a wonderful guy," Boerma said. "It's a shock."

Send e-mail to the author: nreens@grpress.com

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