Warren

Warren senior dies in house fire

By Brian Louwers
C & G Staff Writer

WARREN — An 80-year-old man died at the hospital Jan. 15 after Warren firefighters pulled him from the bed of his smoke-filled home near 13 Mile and Dequindre.

Warren Fire Commissioner Wilburt “Skip” McAdams said the man, whose name was withheld pending notification of family members, was alive and responsive after firefighters arrived and entered the home at 4:19 p.m.

Firefighters reportedly found the man asleep or overcome by smoke on a bed in the single-family home.

“The fire originated in the living room area, in a chair, and overcame the male,” McAdams said.

Warren Fire Department paramedics reportedly began resuscitation efforts at the scene and continued working to save the man’s life as he was transported to Royal Oak’s William Beaumont Hospital. The man was alive when he reached the hospital, but reportedly passed away within two hours.

“The fire was extinguished in 10 minutes. The victim wasn’t burned at all. We fear he was overcome with smoke inhalation. However, an autopsy will confirm that,” McAdams said.

The commissioner said it appeared that the fire originated in the chair but that investigators were not immediately sure how it started.

The cause was still listed as undetermined Jan. 16.

McAdams said the fatality was the first fire-related death in Warren since 2010.

Call Staff Writer Brian C. Louwers at (586) 498-1089.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Brian Louwers at brianlouwers@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1089.