MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. — An elderly woman was sent to the hospital due to a Saturday evening fire that police and firefighters determined was set by a juvenile.
According to Muskegon Heights fire chief Christopher Dean, at 9:07 p.m. Saturday police officers and firefighters responded to a report of a structure fire in the 2300 block of Eighth Street. A police officer who was in the area arrived at the scene quickly.
The officer checked inside the home, found an elderly woman on the porch just inside the door who was unable to make it out and helped the woman to safety. She was then transported to Mercy Hospital where she was treated for smoke inhalation.
Fire crews extinguished the fire quickly and also rescued an unconscious cat from the home and resuscitated it.
Information officers received led them to believe that the fire had been set intentionally. Police officers and firefighters worked together to identify evidence and potential suspects. Dean said a juvenile has been identified as a suspect in setting the fire.
The elderly woman was hospitalized in good condition Sunday morning and is expected to recover fully.
