By David Fleet
Editor
Groveland Twp.-At 11:11 p.m., April 15, township firefighters responded to the 3000 block of Grange Hall Road to a motorhome fire.
Fire department Lt. Tom Nicholson said that when firefighters arrived flames were coming from windows and doors of the vehicle.
“The motorhome was completely engulfed,” said Nicholson. “The victims made it out. Our concern was a large propane tank near the burning motorhome. There were also vehicles and a barn close to the fire.”
Firefighters cooled the tank preventing further damage.
Detective Chip Schultz, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office fire investigations unit arrived at 11:45 p.m.
Lt. Nicholson advised Schultz a couple in the 80s who lived in the 25-foot motorhome were injured in the blaze.

Schultz reported the 81 year old female victim was cooking food and thought she had turned off the propane stove in the motorhome. She went to relight the stove and caused an explosion. As a result she suffered burns to 80-85 percent of her body. A second victim a male age 84, who also lived in the motorhome and was on scene suffered minor burns to his left arm along with singed hair.
He was treated at the scene. However, the female victim was transported by Brandon Advanced Life Support to Hurley Medical Center-Flint where she was intubated to assist in her breathing. She was admitted to the burn unit. At approximately 10:30 p.m., April 16 the victim’s daughter in-law reported she had died as a result of her injuries.
A fire investigation was completed, and the fire is considered accidental in nature and was caused by an open flame into contact with the propane vapors coming from the stove within the camper.