On Wednesday, September 7, at 11:32 A.M., the Grand Rapids Fire Department assisted by the Cohasset Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 33187 Crystal Springs Rd. Grand Rapids in Harris Township.
Upon arrival the Grand Rapids Fire Department began fighting the fire that was engulfing the Northwest side of the building. Upon entry into the building, Fire Fighters found the body of an adult male in a bedroom area of the residence.
The Itasca County Sheriff's Dept. was on scene at that time and initiated the investigation assisted by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office.
The adult male victim was identified as Timothy Nelson Hill, 63 years old. A small dog was also found inside the residence deceased.
Investigator Dean Scherf of the Itasca County Sheriff's Dept. said the actual cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it is believed that there was an explosion of some type on the interior of the residence that started the fire. Scherf states that the cause of death was smoke inhalation. No foul play is suspected.
