by John Tunison | The Grand Rapids Press HASTINGS -- The sight was horrific to Johnny Montes -- his father-in-law's scorched remains in the blackened shell of a burned car.
He cannot fathom how Hastings firefighters missed making the grim discovery when they extinguished the driveway car fire Friday morning, then cleared the scene after leaving a note on the door advising about insurance notifications.
"You couldn't miss it," an incredulous Montes said Tuesday. "There was no way of overlooking (the remains). There was no possible way."
The remains of Paul E. Bailey Sr., 62, were discovered in the driver's seat of a Monte Carlo by his daughter about 2 1/2 hours after the Hastings Fire Department left Bailey's home on Far Away Drive in Rutland Township.
Michigan State Police at the Hastings post are investigating the death as fire officials conduct an internal review of the incident, trying to determine how the remains were missed.
Fire Chief Roger Caris, who was not at the fire, defended his department Tuesday. He said a badly burned body, particularly one exposed to extreme heat and flames, might be difficult to recognize.
"The car was totally destroyed," Caris said.
Caris was told that firefighters did examine the car before leaving the scene and even tried to find the vehicle identification number. He believes they opened the car door to look inside.
"We always check everything over to make sure the fire is out," he said. "They looked in the windshield."
But Montes, who is married to Bailey's daughter, Renee, said he could see Bailey's skull and other bones inside the car. The disturbing mental images have caused sleeping problems, and Montes said both he and his wife are on medication.
"It's killing us," he said.
Autopsy results were not available Tuesday, but Montes questioned whether Bailey might have suffered a heart attack and dropped a cigarette inside the car. The vehicle was parked near the house and the fire melted the siding.
Bailey, who operated Bailey's Concessions and owned several concessions trailers, was the only one home when the fire started. Montes was waiting for Bailey to arrive at a Gun Lake restaurant that Bailey was trying to sell. They planned to show the restaurant to a prospective buyer that morning.
"He had those people coming, and I know he wouldn't have missed it," said Montes, who eventually went looking for Bailey.
He believes fire officials should apologize.
"They haven't even said they made a mistake," Montes said. "They are making excuses."
Should they apologize? What do you think?
