Burtchville man, 66, found dead in early morning fire

A 66-year-old man was found dead after a fire ripped through his Burtchville Township home early Tuesday.

Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Daniel Drake said the investigation into the fire and Thomas Tsafaroff's death are ongoing, but do not appear suspicious.

Fire crews arrived to the home at 3812 Harris Road shortly before 7 a.m. after a resident called 911 about a possible fire.

Flames were coming from the home's windows when firefighters arrived.

They forced entry into the home and found the man dead in the kitchen, said Burtchville Township fire Chief Mark Harrington.

"He was a ways away from where the fire was located so it appears he was attempting to get out of the house," Harrington said.

Harrington said the blaze resulted in fire damage to the bedroom, living room and kitchen. The fire resulted in smoke, heat and water damage to the rest of the home.

Drake said a fire marshal is investigating the fire and the medical examiner's office will perform an autopsy.

Drake said Tsafaroff's family has been notified.

Adam Trupe was letting his dog outside about 6:45 a.m. when he saw fire through the trees.

"It was just a big orange glow and you could still see flames through the trees," Trupe said. "It was obvious that it was a big fire."

Rescue crews battled the fire for at least two hours after arriving on scene. Units from Tri-Hospital EMS and Grant Township and Fort Gratiot fire departments assisted.

Alison Loy, of Burtchville Township, was neighbors with Tsafaroff for about 10 years. She said they kept in contact after Loy moved from her Harris Road home in 2006.

"I'm really shocked to hear about this and he will be severely missed," Loy said. "He was not only a very strong nature lover, but a conservationist.

"Maybe his love of trees came from the fact that he was a carpenter."

Rick Mills, of East Lake Builders, said Tsafaroff was an employee of the company for about two years.

Mills said Tsafaroff was a great employee. Before his time with East Lake, Tsafaroff built movie sets in Hollywood, Mills said.

"He was a gentleman," Mills said. "He was a hard worker. He was generous and kind — all of the qualities we hope people remember when we die."

Dan Sims lives a couple doors down from the scene. Sims stood outside for much of the morning, watching fire crews.

Sims said he didn't know his neighbor well. He said Tsafaroff kept to himself.

"We didn't talk much, but we waved every time we saw each other," Sims said.

Contact Beth LeBlanc at (810) 989-6259 or eleblanc@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @THBethLeBlanc.