Blind man killed after oven accidentally turns on, ignites jacket in apartment
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina/Gray News) - Officials in South Carolina released the name of the person who was killed in an early morning house fire on Sunday.
The Anderson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 73-year-old Jerry Martin Ellis.
Anderson County 911 received a call just after 5 a.m. for a fire on Jonathans Joy Circle.
When first responders arrived, the coroner’s office said Ellis was found dead inside an apartment.
A preliminary investigation from the coroner’s office found that Ellis, who was blind, was in his home when an oven was accidentally turned on, causing his jacket to catch fire.
The coroner’s office said the cause of death was smoke inhalation secondary to thermal burns. Ellis’ death was ruled accidental.
The coroner’s office and the Anderson County Fire Department are investigating.
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