Schuette running mate Lisa Posthumus Lyons loses house to fire

Lansing — Lieutenant governor candidate Lisa Posthumus Lyons and her family were safe Sunday evening after a fire destroyed their family home in Alto, according to the campaign of Republican gubernatorial nominee Bill Schuette. 

The fire started in the garage, and there is no sign of foul play at this time, spokesman John Sellek told The Detroit News. The home had "significant" fire damage and was expected to be a total loss. 

Bowne Township Fire Chief Rick Vriesenga, whose department serves Alto, declined immediate comment on the fire, deferring details to the campaign. Crews "just got back and are cleaning up now," Vriesenga said around 8 p.m.

Lyons, the daughter of former Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus, grew up in the home and had been sharing it with her husband, Brad, and their children Easton, Charlie, Gage and Fisher. 

The family thanks "everyone for their prayers and offers of assistance," the campaign said in a release. "They are very grateful for the firefighters, sheriffs, deputies and first responders who rushed to the scene."

It's not immediately clear what the fire will mean for Lyons' campaign schedule. With less than nine weeks until the Nov. 6 general election, she and her family now are determining where they will temporarily relocate. 

"The family lost everything, so they are assessing the situation and her schedule," Sellek said. 

Schuette, in a social media post, said the Posthumus family was in his prayers and asked followers to "please keep them in your thoughts."

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Gretchen Whitmer also offered condolences on Twitter. "I’m so sorry to see this and am glad the Lyons family is OK," she wrote. 

Schuette picked Lyons as his running mate Aug. 15. She was formally nominated to the ballot at the Michigan Republican Party convention Aug. 25. 

joosting@detroitnews.com