Investigators said Friday the cause of a fatal Battle Creek fire is not suspicious.
But Battle Creek Fire Marshal Quincy Jones said he will continue for a few more days his investigation into the exact cause of the fire which killed Robert R. Pierce.
Pierce, 89, was found in the bathroom of his master bedroom on the second floor of the house at 226 Martha Drive just south of Golden Avenue on Battle Creek's south side.
Pierce and his dog were pronounced dead at the scene.
Firefighters were called at 3:59 a.m. Friday and found heavy fire in the living area of the home. Jones said late Friday morning that the fire began in the rear of the house, possibly in the kitchen.
A portion of the roof collapsed.
The home at 226 Martha Drive where Robert Pierce died early Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. (Photo: Trace Christenson/The Enquirer ,)
Damage was estimated at $120,000 to the structure and $50,000 to the contents. Firefighters said the most damage was to the kitchen and living room and the roof.
City records show that the 1,657-square-foot, four-bedroom house was built in 1962.
No firefighters were injured in the fire.
Contact Trace Christenson at 269-966-0685 or tchrist@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @TSChristenson
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