By Journal Staff

ST. IGNACE — A fatal fire at a Moran Township residence Friday afternoon was likely set by the homeowner, police say.

Troopers from the Michigan State Police St. Ignace Post were dispatched at about 3 p.m. that day to conduct a welfare check at a Portage Street home.

As troopers arrived at the residence, the house suddenly erupted in flames. The fire spread rapidly and is believed to have been fueled by an accelerant, according to a police report issued by Michigan State Police Lt. Ben Eckola.

As the fire intensified, suspected gunshots were heard from within the residence. Troopers were unable to enter the home as a result of possible danger imposed by the fire, so they called St. Ignace firefighters to the scene.

Given the rapid nature of the fire, Michigan State Police bomb squad experts were also called to the scene in case any suspicious devices were located.

A search of the residence ultimately ensued during which the body of a single deceased male was discovered. Police say the victim is believed to be the adult male homeowner.

The fire and the suspected gunshots appear to have been a self-inflicted effort by the homeowner to take his own life, according to the police report.

Another adult known to reside at the home was not present during the incident. Nobody else is believed to have been in the residence when the fire started and no other bodies or suspicious devices were discovered.

The home was completely destroyed in the fire.

The incident remains under investigation and will include forensic processing of evidence as well as a forensic autopsy of the victim.

Michigan State Police were assisted by the St. Ignace Fire Department, Mackinac County Sheriff’s Department, St. Ignace Police Department, Straits Area EMS and Chippewa County Dispatch.