Michigan State Police troopers are continuing their investigation into what they believe was an arson and suicide in the eastern Upper Peninsula.
Officers from the St. Ignace post called to a home in Moran Township near St. Ignace around 3:00 Friday afternoon. As they arrived, and were still outside the residence, the building suddenly erupted in flames.
As the fire spread rapidly, they heard gunfire from inside the house. The intensity of the blaze prevented troopers from entering the home.
The St. Ignace Fire Department was called, and they extinguished the fire. The home was a total loss.
The remains were searched by the MSP Bomb Squad, to make sure there were no additional threats. Members of the MSP Fire Investigation Unit and the Crime Lab processed the scene.
The body of an adult male was discovered in the wreckage. He is believed to be the homeowner. Investigators concluded that he had used an accelerant to start the fire, and then shot himself to death.
No one else is believed to have been in the house, including another adult who is know to have lived there. No other injuries were reported.
Forensic processing of the evidence will continue, and a forensic autopsy is planned.
The name of the deceased is not being released at this time.
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