(STURGIS) – One person is dead following an apartment fire.

Sturgis Director Public Safety Ryan Banaszak says at 1:26 AM Sunday the Department of Public Safety was called to the 200 block of West West Street for a report of a structure fire. Crews arrived and found heavy smoke and fire coming from an upstairs apartment.

When they entertained the apartment, firefighters found a man in his 50’s unconscious and not breathing. He was removed from the dwelling and taken to Sturgis Hospital where he later died.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to a single apartment and the shared attic space. Three families were displaced as a result of the fire and are being assisted by the St. Joseph County Victim Services and the local branch of the American Red Cross.

The fire is currently under investigation, but does not appear to be suspicious in nature. A Sturgis Department of Public Safety firefighter was treated at Sturgis Hospital for smoke inhalation suffered during rescue efforts.

Assisting at the scene were the Tri-Township Fire Department, the Michigan State Police and the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department.

If anyone has information on this fire, they are asked to contact Fire Marshall Cody Cripe at 269-651-7008.