Investigation Concluded in Shelden Road Fire

Firefighters had a debriefing meeting earlier this week in regards to the house fire at 590 Shelden Road, which destroyed the three-story, 5,100 square foot home. Crews discussed the logistics of fighting the fire and generally, they agreed the entire battle went well, according to Shores Public Safety Director Stephen Poloni.

Fire investigator Sgt. William Nicholson has ruled the cause as undetermined and said there is no suspicion of any foul play. He was able to find the general location where the blaze ignited -- near the ceiling of a second-floor bathroom, but he's not able to determine if it started above the ceiling, in the ceiling or just below the ceiling, he said.

Homeowner Doug and Gina Stapleton provided information to Nicholson during the investigation. The couple purchased the home in 2004 and have been working to remodel and update the interior since.

Doug Stapleton was out of town when the fire destroyed his home but received a call from a neighbor alerting him of it, according to reports. He then called his wife to alert her. No one was in the home at the time and firefighters rescued the family's pet, Maxwell, a Yorkshire Terrier, who was soaking wet but fine, Doug Stapleton said. 

The couple told Nicholson they had had problems with squirrels in the walls and they questioned whether chewing on wires could have caused the blaze. While Nicholson said this is unlikely the cause, it cannot be ruled out. It's rare that rodents wire-chewing habits cause major fires, he said. 

Since the cause is officially being ruled as undetermined, the investigation requires Nicholson to rule out every possibility that he is able. A sample of carpet was sent to the state police lab for routine analysis, Nicholson said, noting there is nothing suspicious about the fire whatsoever. 

The house, at the corner of Shelden and Clairvew roads one block off Lakeshore Road, sustained heavy fire and smoke damage to the second and third floors. The entire house sustained heavy water damage. 

Crews from all five of the Pointes and Harper Woods fought the fire for about five hours Feb. 8 in freezing temperatures as layers upon layers of ice formed from the gallons of water being pumped into the house.

A few firefighters sustained minor injuries as result of slip and falls due to the icy conditions and one firefighters from the City of Grosse Pointe injured his bicep and arm while trying to break out a ceiling that will keep him off work for a few months, City and Shores public safety directors told their respective councils this week. 

The Stapletons plan to raze the house, which is currently boarded up and the collapsed roof is covered with thick plastic sheathing. Their insurance determined it to be a total loss. They plan to rebuild and are looking for a house to rent in the meantime. The couple, their 3-year-old son and Doug Stapleton's two college-aged daughters lived in the house.