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Blind Man's Clothes Catch Fire, Fatally Injured
21 Jul
Summary
- A 73-year-old blind man died from smoke inhalation after his clothes caught fire.
- The fire started when the man inadvertently turned on his oven.
- The death was officially ruled an accident by the county coroner.
A 73-year-old blind resident of Anderson, South Carolina, tragically passed away due to an accidental fire. The incident occurred on Sunday, July 19th, when the victim, Jerry Martin Ellis, was inside his apartment. An early investigation indicated that the oven was inadvertently turned on, causing the victim's jacket to ignite.
Ellis succumbed to smoke inhalation, with thermal burns noted as a secondary cause. The coroner's office has officially ruled the manner of death as accidental. Authorities, including the Anderson County Fire Department Headquarters and the coroner's office, are continuing to investigate the scene.
Born on June 5, 1953, Ellis was remembered for his love of the outdoors, hiking, and listening to music by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Rod Stewart. He also enjoyed 'The Andy Griffith Show' and 'Little House on the Prairie,' and was a supporter of the South Carolina Gamecocks. He is survived by his sons Ryan and Rodney, his sister Diane Horne, and his poodle, Ginger.
