During the early morning hours of July 7, a residential fire was reported in the Town of Chugwater. The evidence was a large mobile home located at 203 2nd Street.

The Chugwater Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance responded immediately, followed by Deputy Krotz, Deputy Twiford and Sheriff Keigley of the Platte County Sheriff's Office. A body was located in the fire, later identified as Millie Marie Schirmer.

Also responding were the County Coroner, Tina Crites, and the State Fire Marshall's Office as well as the Division of Criminal Investigation Crime Lab Unit.

All agencies conducted individually specialized and thorough investigations into the cause and surrounding circumstances of the fire. The fire at this time has been ruled as not suspicious and appears to be accidental in nature. The Coroner has determined the cause of death as smoke inhalation.