On Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, at approximately 11:06 p.m., Meceola Central Dispatch received a call reporting a structure fire at 754 220th Avenue in Morley.

According to a post by the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office, a deputy was first on scene but was "unable to take action" due to the residence being fully engulfed in flames.

Emergency personnel from Big Rapids, Lakeview, Mecosta, Morley, and Morton Township arrived on scene and began battling the fully involved structure fire. Firefighters located a resident, an elderly woman with mobility issues, who was unable to escape. She was found deceased inside the structure.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office Fire Investigation Team. It is not considered suspicious at this time.

The Mecosta County Sheriff's Office was assisted by Mecosta Township Fire/Rescue, Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, Big Rapids Township Fire, Morley Area Fire Department, Mecosta County EMS, Meceola Central Dispatch, the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office Fire Investigation Team, Mecosta County Sheriff's Office Victim’s Services Unit, Daggett Funeral Home, and the Mid-Michigan Medical Examiner Group.

_{Information courtesy of the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office.}