Investigators probe fatal fire in Monroe Co.

3/7/2011

CARLETON, Mich. — Monroe County investigators Monday searched for the cause of a fire that killed an Exeter Township man who died as a result of a fire in his single-family home in the 6200 block of Stout Road.

Trooper Marc Moore of the Michigan State Police said Kevin Montri, 43, died from smoke inhalation and burns. The fire broke out around 3:30 a.m. Sunday. Brenden Montri, 10, heard the smoke detector and woke up his father.

Mr. Montri, Brenden and his friend, Justin LaRoy, 10, along with their dog, escaped from the house. Mr. Montri went back inside again, but failed to emerge, Trooper Moore said.

Firefighters from Exeter Township Volunteer Fire Department found Mr. Montri on the floor in a small storage room. Trooper Moore said Mr. Montri was pronounced dead at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor.

"Unfortunately, the cause of the fire will be listed as undetermined, although there are a couple of possibilities that are being looked at," he said, adding that it was not a suspicious fire.