Early Morning Fire Destroys Wakefield Home - Claims Life

WAKEFIELD, MI - Tuesday, March 15, 2011 - The Wakefield Fire Department and Law Enforcement remain on the scene of a residential house fire in the City of Wakefield. The fire was reported to 911 at 4:05 am this morning. The structure was fully involved upon arrival of the Fire Department and is a total loss. The investigation is continuing as the female owner of the residence is still unaccounted for at this time.

Fire Investigators from the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Office and Ironwood Public Safety Department are on scene and assisting in the investigation. No names are being released at this time. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

UPDATE - 8:30 AM - Authorities have located remains within the scene of a residential structure fire on Charles St. in Wakefield. Fire Investigators are continuing the investigation into the fire that was reported shortly after 4:00 am this morning.

No names are being released at this time. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

UPDATE - 10:03 AM - An early morning fire claimed the life of an 84 year old Wakefield resident. The victim is identified as Annie E. Helberg of 1803 Charles Street in the City of Wakefield.

Authorities were notified shortly after 4:00 am this morning by a call to 911 from a neighbor reporting a fully engulfed structure at the location. Upon arrival, firefighters reported the house fully involved with fire spreading to a detached garage.

Fire Investigators from the Gogebic County Sheriff's Office and the Ironwood Public Safety Department are continuing their efforts into determining the cause of the fire.

Also assisting at the scene were Beacon Ambulance, Wakefield DPW and Gogebic County Victims Services.

Peter P. Matonich
Gogebic County Sheriff