ESCANABA, MI-- The following press release from the Escanaba Department of Public Safety is an update on a fatal fire at the Delta Inn Motel on April 30:
Escanaba Public Safety requested the assistance of the Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit, out of Negaunee, with trying to determine the origin and cause of the fire. After the fire scene investigation was completed, the origin of the fire was determined to be in room #107. The cause of the fire has been ruled undetermined, but smoking and a portable home oxygen device may have contributed to the cause.
The two victims of the fire have been identified as; Daniel Lehman, 72 years old, and Hunter Gauthier, 17 years old, both residents of the Delta Inn Motel.
Three additional individuals who were injured due to the fire have been identified as the following:
Donald Balthazore, 66 years old, and a resident of the Delta Inn Motel. Balthazore was initially taken to OSF St. Francis Hospital in critical condition, with burns over 25% of his body, Balthazore was later air lifted to St. Mary’s Burn Center in Milwaukee, where he is still currently receiving treatment.
Joseph Hiller, 50 years old, and a resident of the Delta Inn Motel. Hiller was initially taken to OSF St. Francis Hospital and then transported to U.P. Health Systems in Marquette in critical condition for a fractured back sustained while jumping from the roof. Hillier underwent surgery and was later released on May 5, 2020.
Edward Smart, 74 years old, and a resident of the Delta Inn Motel. Smart was taken to OSF St. Francis Hospital where he was treated and released for his injuries, which included minor burns.
Escanaba Public Safety would also like to recognize and thank several individuals who assisted with rescues of tenants. William Hermes, resident of the Delta Inn Motel, was able to pull an individual from #107 just prior to the room becoming fully engulfed. Joseph Hiller assisted Donald Balthazore to the safety of the roof before being injured himself.
Final recognition goes out to Angel “Chino” Lozada for his quick, unselfish, and heroic actions at such a dangerous scene. Angel was approaching the motel while driving with his wife, when the two of them noticed black smoke coming from a lower level room. Angel parked his vehicle and immediately started going door to door on the ground level making sure occupants were out. On at least one instance, Angel helped a tenant out of a room to safety while flames roared above. Angel also assisted with the removal of tenants to safety that were trapped on the roof. Even after Escanaba Public Safety arrived with the fire truck, Angel kept helping by assisting firefighters with the hoses being pulled from the truck.
Escanaba Public Safety feels the actions of Angel helped spare additional lives on that tragic day.
Capt. Hunter
