Man found dead after fire at Ypsilanti Township home
A man was found dead Monday night in the kitchen of his Ypsilanti Township home, where his clothing caught fire apparently after he lit a cigarette on a gas stove, fire officials said.
An autopsy is scheduled for today to identify the man and determine the cause of death, Ypsilanti Township Fire Capt. Larry James said.
Seven firefighters responded to the home in the 1200 block of Commonwealth Avenue at about 5:50 p.m. after neighbors reported that smoke was coming out the windows and someone was possibly inside, James said.
Firefighters arrived in 6 minutes and James said he kicked in the back door to find the man lying on the kitchen floor. James said the fire was extinguished in 5 minutes and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Damage was estimated at $15,000. James said the kitchen sustained fire damage and the other rooms smoke damage.
Lee Higgins is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
actionjackson
Wed, Aug 10, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
No doubt this will turn into a smoker vs. non smoker debate. Remember this man has a family and negative comments that will more than likely (hopefully deleted) not help his family deal with a horrible tradgedy. It also is a reminder to those who are around flame of any type think about the type of clothing being worn. So very sorry that any family has to get the phone call from authorities that they have lost a loved one in such an awful manner.
RJA
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
This is so sad, I have seen people do this before. (Light a cig at the gas burner) Matches and lighters are so cheap if one must smoke.