Fire claims life at Summerdale RV park

Fire destroyed this RV in the early morning hours Monday, Jan. 4 at Sandy Toes RV Park, claiming the life of 62-year-old Steven Dollhofer.
Fire destroyed this RV in the early morning hours Monday, Jan. 4 at Sandy Toes RV Park, claiming the life of 62-year-old Steven Dollhofer.
JOHN UNDERWOOD/STAFF PHOTOS
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SUMMERDALE, Alabama — Investigators believe a space heater was the cause of an overnight fire on Monday, Jan. 4 that claimed the life of a man at a Summerdale RV park.

According to a release issued by Summerdale Police Chief Kevin Brock, officers with the Summerdale Police Department, along with fire crews from Summerdale, Foley and Robertsdale, responded to the fire at 1 a.m. Monday at Sandy Toes RV Park on County Road 32 in Summerdale, to find that the small, older RV was fully involved.

“After the fire was contained, officers were able to gain entry, finding a body inside,” according to the release. Pending autopsy, the body is believed to be that of 62-year-old Steven Dollhofer.

“We really don’t know anything about him,” Brock said. “He wasn’t really from here and we haven’t been able to locate any of his next of kin.”

According to the release multiple attempts to notify Dollhofer’s next of kin have yet to be successful.

A preliminary investigation by the State Fire Marshal has established a possible cause as a space heater being placed too close to the bed. At this time, the death is being ruled as accidental.

“All information is based on preliminary facts as this is still an on-going investigation,” according to the release.

Anyone with information about family contacts is urged to contact Brock at the Summerdale Police Department, 251-989-7777.