UPDATED NEWS RELEASE: On Monday, January 18th, at 6:46pm, Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to the 2500 block of Larchwood St NE for a fire. Units arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from a residential structure. Shortly after arrival a small explosion occurred blowing out the windows of the structure. The fire was marked under control within 15 minutes of being dispatched.
One resident was transported to the hospital and another resident died on scene.
Although Fire-EMS personnel were getting ready to make entry into the home at the time of the blast, no personnel were injured.
The cause of the fire was deemed accidental and started as the result of the victim smoking while on oxygen.
The name of the victim will be withheld until positive identification can be made with the medical examiner.
Roanoke Fire-EMS reminds residents that it is dangerous to smoke while on oxygen. Doing so can result in serious injury or death.
PREVIOUS: At 6:46pm, Roanoke Fire-EMS was dispatched to 2500 block of Larchwood St NE for a fire. Units arrived to find heavy smoke and flames coming from a residential structure. Shortly after arrival a small explosion occurred blowing out the windows of the structure. The fire was marked under control within 15 minutes of being dispatched. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
