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The state fire marshal investigation into the cause of the fatal fire in Shafer February 2 has concluded. The report, issued June 3, arrives at no conclusive cause for the blaze that brought down a six-unit wooden structure reportedly approximately 100 years old and left one dead.  The fire marshal office will re-open the case if any new information comes forward but at this time there is little evidence to work from due to the high degree of damage to the structure.

The victim, Shirley Utecht, 63, was a daughter of the property owner Sandra Mitthun, who also resided in the building.  An autopsy stated the only positive tests were for carbon monoxide with the medical examiner ruling this to be a “fire death.”

The investigator stated in the report that the corner of the building where Utecht’s apartment was located sustained heavy damage, especially in the kitchen area. Once recovery of the victim was successful, the Fire Investigator at the scene, Levi Roline, ordered the structure be razed as flames picked up strength and the second floor and roof had collapsed or were near-collapse.

The building had no sprinklers and the report did not state if there were smoke detectors. Firefighters rescued those who needed ladders to escape and other occupants exited on their own. The report noted there was no property insurance.

In the course of interviews for the investigation it was learned that just prior to the fire being noticed, residents lost power.

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