Pet perishes in car fire

An elderly Kingsford man is at Dickinson County Hospital for observation yet today after his vehicle caught on fire Tuesday afternoon. Breitung Township Fire Department crews were called to the parking lot of Advance Auto Parts at 2:58 p.m. Tuesday. Breitung Township Fire Chief Jeff Iverson said an 87-year-old man was driving his car down the highway and flames came out from under the dash. He pulled into the parking lot of Advance Auto Parts, W8145 S U.S. 2, and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. He jumped out to get help and then received burns on his hands after trying to get his dog, a gold retriever, out of the vehicle, Iverson said. The dog perished, and the vehicle was totaled from the fire. It was then towed away by Twin City Towing. Beacon Ambulance brought the man to the hospital where he is being treated for smoke inhalation and burns on his hands from trying to open the car door for his dog. Breitung Township Fire Department personnel cleared the scene at 4:45 p.m.