Residential fire claims life of homeowner

On Thursday, August 31, 2017, at approximately 5:57 AM, the Beltrami County 911 Dispatch center received a report of a residential structure fire in the 17000 block of Buzzle Rd NW, Pinewood, MN in Buzzle Twp. Buzzle Township is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Bemidji, MN.

Upon arrival of Deputies they found the mobile type home to be fully engulfed in flames. Neighbors reported the fire and believed that the residence was still occupied by the homeowner. The neighbors were using garden hoses in an attempt to quell the fire. Solway Fire & Rescue arrived on scene and began attacking the fire and were soon thereafter able to gain entry into the home. Once inside the home, Firefighters discovered a deceased individual in the home.

The deceased was positively identified by the Beltrami County Coroner's Office as Erich L. Schissel, Age 56, the homeowner and lone occupant of the residence.

The origin of the fire was discovered to be in the living room area of the mobile home and the cause and or source of the fire is still pending further investigation by the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office and Office of Minnesota State Fire Marshal.

Responding to the scene were Beltrami County Sheriff's Office, Solway Fire & Rescue, and the Office of the Minnesota State Fire Marshal.

Respectfully submitted:

Chief Deputy Ernie Beitel

Beltrami County Sheriff's Office

ernie.beitel@co.beltrami.mn.us

218-333-4136

September 1, 2017