COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Central Ohio fire investigators are trying to figure out what sparked a fire that killed a man early Thursday morning. It was 4 a.m. when fire crews rushed to the building in the 5300 block of West Broad Street in Prairie Township.
By the time they arrived, smoke had filled the second story where there are four apartments; two of which were occupied.
Prairie Township Fire Chief Steve Feustel said a man in one of the units was able to escape and call 911.
“He was woken up by the smoke, came out, saw the smoke coming out and called the fire department,” he said.
The man’s 64-year-old next door neighbor was unable to escape. Fire officials said his apartment was found engulfed in flames. Crews found him in the bedroom. “Upon entry into the fire room, one of our firefighters discovered the person. The individual was (dragged) out of the fire scene."
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was later identified as Roger Robertson.
Meanwhile, the investigation turns to what started the fire in the first place. “It didn’t appear to be quick. It appears it had time to cook and at this point it's still under investigation,” Feustel said.
While officials said they believe the fire was accidental in nature, it's unclear what exactly is to blame. Also unclear, why it appears the smoke detectors didn't sound.
Map of fire location:
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