Victim in Wednesday’s fire lived in the garage

By Brandi Makuski

Investigators say foul play is not suspected in Wednesday night’s fatal fire on Sixth St.

Stevens Point Fire Chief Robert Finn confirmed on Thursday the victim was a 49-year-old man but added the man’s identity would not be released at this time.

“The cause of death is undetermined pending autopsy results and determination by the Portage County Medical Examiner’s Office,” Finn said in a news release Thursday.

In his news release, Finn said investigators from the Stevens Point Police and Fire departments and the Division of Criminal Investigation have determined the man “was living in the garage for an extended period time” but didn’t release any further information.

Metro Fire units from Stevens Point, Plover, and Hull all responded to 608 Sixth St. shortly before 7 p.m. on June 26 to find a detached garage completely engulfed. Once crews knocked down the fire, investigators were called to the scene.

Firefighters were on the scene until after midnight. The Portage Co. EMS Service also responded to the call.