OHIO — A tragic house fire on Christmas Eve claimed the life of a 29-year-old man and left three others narrowly escaping with their lives.
The fire broke out around 3 a.m. at a small single-family home on Brandston Avenue in Elyria, devastating the property and causing extensive damage to two neighboring houses.
When firefighters arrived, they were met with a massive blaze engulfing the home. Despite their efforts, the flames had already spread to adjacent properties.
Elyria Fire Chief Joseph Prosenti described the scene as tragic and overwhelming for first responders.
After extinguishing the fire, crews discovered the man’s body in a bedroom of the home where the fire started.
Two young women and another man, also in the house at the time, managed to escape uninjured.
The house where the fire began was declared a total loss, with damages estimated at $120,000.
The neighboring homes sustained damages of $20,000 and $40,000. No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, with updates expected on December 26.