In the early hours of Saturday, Oct. 28, at approximately 1:15 a.m., the Canton Fire Department responded to a working structure fire at 3168 34th St NE, an occupied apartment building. Crews arrived at the scene to discover flames engulfing a single unit within a one-story, twelve-unit apartment complex.
The incident was reported by a neighbor who acted upon hearing a smoke alarm. Concerned for the safety of their neighbor, they attempted to check on the occupant but were turned away by the intense heat radiating from the door.
Upon breaching the apartment door, the fire department encountered challenging conditions with heavy smoke and extreme heat.
The search within the apartment revealed a 70-year-old male, unconscious in his bed. Despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, the victim was pronounced dead at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending notification.
The fire began in the living room, according to Canton Fire Battalion Chief Steve Henderson.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, with authorities diligently working to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.