A Michigan State Police fire investigator works on the scene of a fatal explosion and fire that occured Monday morning in Dryden.

Fire Marshal, investigators at site in search of cause

DRYDEN — An explosion and fire at Victoria Meadows mobile home park left four people dead on Monday morning.

Dryden Police Chief Shawn Peters said Dryden Township police and firefighters were dispatched at around 5:07 a.m. on March 21 to 3750 Nash Lane, where the explosion had occurred.

Peters said an active investigation was in its early stages and that the fire’s origin and cause were unknown.

“We don’t have a lot of details yet,” Peters said. “All we know is four people were inside the house at the time of the explosion and they are all deceased.”
He added that the identies of the victims have yet to be released; though it is believed an elderly woman, possibly on oxygen, recently moved into the home.

“Some neighbors told us they heard a loud boom,” said Peters. “It’s too early in the investigation to provide specific information.”

Peters said representatives from Michigan State Police, Michigan Fire Marshal’s office, Lapeer County Sheriff’s Dept. and Lapeer County EMS, and Lapeer County’s Medical Examiner were at the scene in hopes of establishing the cause.

“Regardless of the cause,” he said, “This is is a tragedy for those involved and for our community.”

He acknowledged the Almont Fire Department for providing mutual aid at the scene.

Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.