Sheriff’s Office identifies victims in holiday weekend boat fire

The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of three people found dead after an early morning fire July 3 in a boat docked at a Harrison Township marina.

The three deceased persons were identified as Mark Matthews, 60, of Williston, N.D.; Jason Miron, 43, of Grand Rapids; and Stephanie Arzola, 41, also of Grand Rapids. A labrador retriever/pointer mix dog that belonged to Matthews was also found dead on the 38-foot, 1987 Chris Craft vessel. The boat was docked at Fox Marina on South River Road in Harrison Township.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 6:05 a.m. on July 3, deputies and the Harrison Township Fire Department were dispatched to the Fox Marina for a possible boat fire. Neighboring boats and 911 calls reported smoke was coming from one of the windows and that the boat may be on fire.

The fire department was able to enter the boat and extinguish any signs of a possible fire.

The Sheriff’s Office said after a thorough examination of the boat, the cause of the fire will be listed as unknown. It is believed that the fire started within the main living area of the cabin on a couch. The ignition source and first materials to catch fire could not be located to it either being removed or consumed by the fire. Electrical issues were ruled out as a cause, however, smoking/smoking material could not be ruled out or proven.

The cabin did have a working smoke detector at the time of the fire. No foul play is suspected.