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Blind Man Dies in Tragic Apartment Fire
21 Jul
Summary
- A 73-year-old man died from smoke inhalation after a fire.
- The fire started accidentally when his oven was turned on.
- The victim was blind and his jacket caught fire.
Jerry Martin Ellis, a 73-year-old resident of Anderson, South Carolina, passed away following an accidental fire in his apartment. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 19, when the Anderson County 911 received a fire alarm report.
Firefighters dispatched to the scene discovered Ellis deceased inside his home. An initial investigation by the Anderson County Coroner's Office indicated that Ellis, who was blind, was present when the oven was inadvertently activated, leading to his clothing catching fire.
The coroner officially determined the cause of death to be smoke inhalation, with thermal burns cited as a secondary factor. The manner of death was officially classified as accidental. The Anderson County Fire Department Headquarters and the coroner's office are continuing their investigation into the fire's origin.
Born on June 5, 1953, Ellis was remembered for his love of the outdoors, music, and television. He is survived by his sons, Ryan and Rodney, his sister Diane Horne, and his poodle, Ginger.
