Fire Breaks Out A Michigan Apartment, Killing One Occupant

NEGAUNEE, Mich. (AP) -- Fire broke out in a third-floor apartment Friday, killing an occupant, authorities said.

Four other people living in lower-floor apartments escaped.

Fire Chief Tom Gardyko said he believed the fire started in the apartment of the dead man, whose name was not immediately released.

Police and firefighters were called to the scene around 3:30 a.m.

''It was really going when we got here,'' Gardyko said. ''All of the apartments had smoke alarms, but because the fire was above them on the third floor they didn't go off. A neighbor smelled smoke and alerted them to the fire.''

A state fire marshal was investigating the cause.

The temperature was around 11 degrees, presenting a challenge to firefighters as the spray from their hoses froze to everything not on fire. Inches of frigid water covered the glazed ice route to the scene, making footing slippery.