Student dies in house fire, cause for blaze unknown

A UM-Flint student died in a fire Tuesday night in Thetford Township.

Matthew Whalen, 19, was found in the basement of his home on N. Saginaw Road after his home was destroyed by a fire.

Assistant Chief Kerry Paulson said they believe the fire started in the basement, but the cause is still under investigation. Whalen’s twin brother found the house full of smoke and didn’t see anyone else inside before calling the fire department.

Paulson said Whalen was the only person in the house when the fire started.

“By the time we got there, the fire was going pretty good,” Paulson said. No one else was injured in the blaze.

Jennifer can be reached at jprofitt@umflint.edu.

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