Dundee Township man is victim of home fire

9/18/2009

DUNDEE, Mich. - A 67-year-old Dundee Township man died yesterday in a fire that began in his bedroom.

He was identified as Larry Merz by his brother, Jim, whom a neighbor called to the scene.

The fire at 2588 Meanwell Rd. was reported about 11:50 a.m. A neighbor saw smoke coming from the one-story house and called for help, said Michigan State Police Trooper Marc Moore, who is on the Monroe County fire investigation team.

Deputy Dave Uhl of the sheriff's office arrived before firefighters, but smoke, heat, and flames kept him from getting inside. Flames in a hallway prevented firefighters at first from getting to the bedroom, Trooper Moore said. The cause hasn't been determined.

Mr. Merz was a graduate of Monroe Catholic Central High and retired from the Navy, his brother said. The house is southeast of the village of Dundee and about 15 miles northwest of Toledo.