Officials: Space heater may have caused Warren garage fire that killed man

A space heater may have been the cause of a Warren fire that killed a 72-year-old man Friday in a garage, officials said.

"A preliminary investigation shows that this fire appears to be accidental and possibly caused by a space heater which was knocked over by the deceased male while he was inside the garage," city officials said in a statement. "At this point ... foul play or arson are not believed to be involved."

Police are working to notify the man's next of kin and are not releasing his identity at the moment.

Fire officials said they continue to investigate the cause of the fire. Investigators are trying to determine whether the man had a medical emergency that caused him to knock over the heater.

They are awaiting the results of an autopsy.

Firefighters were called at about 4:45 a.m. Friday to a home on Arden Street near the Warren Community Center and 14 Mile and Mound Road for a fire in a home's garage.

They arrived and extinguished the fire. As they put out the flames, firefighters found a man dead inside the garage.

Authorities interviewed a woman who identified herself as the man's wife inside the home and she confirmed the victim was the 72-year-old homeowner.

cramirez@detroitnews.com

X: @CharlesERamirez