[BobbyB]

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."

E-mail the author of this story: localnews@grpress.com

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[BobbyB]

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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