BESSEMER — The Michigan State Police are still investigating the cause of a house fire in Bessemer following the discovery of a body in the residence.

At approximately 9 p.m. Tuesday, troopers from the Wakefield State Police Post were dispatched to a structure fire at 213 Sellar St. in the city of Bessemer, in Gogebic County. Upon arrival, the huse was fully engulfed. Troopers attempted to enter the residence to locate anyone inside, but were unable to due to the intense flames and smoke.

The Bessemer City and Bessemer Township Fire Departments responded and extinguished the fire. Afterwards, troopers discovered that a person had died in the residence.

The victim was identified using x-rays as Lonnie Ray Niemi, age 49, who resided at the home. The exact cause of Niemi’s death has not been determined and an autopsy is pending. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined and is still under investigation.

Assisting at the scene was the Gogebic County Sheriff’s Department.