HOLLAND (WHTC) — Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office has identifed the victim of Sunday’s boat fire in Spring Lake Village as Grand Rapids Fire Lt. David Richad Knisley.
He was 45, according to Ottawa County Sheriff’s Capt. Mark Bennett. who said an autopsy indicates Lt. Knisely died from smoke inhalation.
The fire, discovered just after 5:15 a.m. Sunday at Barrett Boat Works, 821 Savage St., drew Sheriff’s deputies and fire crews from Spring Lake, Crockery and Ferrysburg fire departments.
Arriving units found the boat fully involved; as the fire was doused, the boat sank in the boat slip. Public safety officials learned the boat might have been occupied, a fact confirmed after it was raised to the surface by Tow Boat U.S.
Bennet said the fire appears to be accidental, but remains under investigation.
