RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A bedridden man who was unable to escape a house fire in Richmond Thursday morning has died.
Firefighters arrived at the house, located on Maplewood Avenue off South Meadow Street. to find heavy fire and smoke showing.
Crews were initially told an individual was still inside the burning home. Richmond Fire Capt. Earl Dyer said a construction worker in the area tried to rescue the man but was unsuccessful.
“Went in the house and made an attempt to rescue the gentleman,” Dyer told 8News. “He called out to the gentleman, the gentleman did answer but because of the fire and the conditions he wasn’t able to enter the room.”
Firefighters conducted a rescue, but the man died at the scene. His identity has not yet been released.
Two of the man’s adult daughters and another adult female were in the home and woke up to the fire and escaped.
Fire officials say that they suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation.
This is the second death in Richmond as a result of a house fire this year.
The fire has since been marked under control, Richmond Fire Capt. Earl Dyer told 8News.
“He was bedridden, so we also understand that he was a heavy smoker but we don’t know what the cause of the fire is,” Dyer said. “That’s still being determined by the investigators.”
The Red Cross said their team is preparing to respond to provide support to all those impacted by the fire.
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