Authorities investigate fatal Hancock blast

HANCOCK TOWNSHIP -- Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of a fire and explosion that killed a woman and injured a man in Hancock Township Tuesday morning.

The body of a woman consistent with a 64-year-old resident of the house on M-203 was found and pronounced dead by the Houghton County medical death investigator, the Houghton County Sheriff's Office said in a release.

Upon arriving at the house shortly after 9 a.m., deputies learned she might have been inside the house during the explosion, the sheriff's office said.

The woman's husband was able to exit the house. He was transported to Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium, where he was treated for injuries and released.

The city of Hancock on Thursday night scheduled a community remembrance for Downtown Development Authority Coordinator and community advocate Deb Mann, who was confirmed Thursday to have been the person killed in the explosion.

In a Facebook post announcing the event, Mann was lauded for her tireless efforts to serve the community through programs, events and volunteering efforts.

"Her legacy lives on throughout the City of Hancock; whether it's a well-maintained flower garden, a dog park bandana, tents perfectly organized at the Tori Market, or simply a bench placed in just the right spot to stop and appreciate all the beauty this area has to offer -- these are the things that Deb did so our community could thrive," the post said. "For many years to come, we will miss her smile and moxy, but in her memory, we promise to serve the City and this community with the same passion that she always did."

The Michigan state fire investigator has visited the scene to investigate the cause of the explosion and fire. The cause is still under investigation.

Jason Berg, a fire investigator with the MSP in Negaunee, said there would (Continued from 1-A)

be a dig at the site with the insurance company to help determine the cause. That date has not been set, Berg said.

The Houghton County Sheriff's Office was assisted by, Michigan State Police Fire Investigation Unit, Calumet Township Fire, Quincy Franklin Fire, Allouez Township Fire, Hubbell Fire, Tamarack City Fire, Mercy EMS, REA Power, MJO Contracting, Superior Search and Rescue and Houghton County Medical Examiner's Office.

Salvation Army in Hancock is working with local disaster services partners to assist the survivor, it said on its Facebook page Wednesday. Support can be sent to The Salvation Army earmarked for Disaster Relief.