Fire claims Brownsville man’s life
State police said a fire claimed the life of a Brownsville man Sunday morning.
Police said Anthony Joseph Willis, 47, of 556 Fifth Ave. had turned on the stove to cook food in his kitchen around 1 a.m. before he fell asleep in another room. While Willis was sleeping, the stove caught on fire.
Police said after the fire started, Willis woke up and tried unsuccessfully to leave through a bedroom window at the front part of the first floor of his home. His body was discovered around 4 a.m. by his roommate/friend Joseph Hudock, police said.
Brownsville Volunteer Fire Departments — northside and South Brownsville — were assisted by Hiller, West Brownsville and California volunteer fire departments.
State police fire marshal ruled the fire as accidental.
Police said an investigation is pending autopsy results.
“This was a pretty tragic outcome and probably the first fire fatality in Brownsville in more than a decade,” said Fire Chief Jordan Sealy, Brownsville Fire Company Number 1 (northside).
Sealy said the fire was contained to the kitchen and there was a lot of smoke damage to the first and second floors. He said by the time firefighters arrived, the fire was nearly out so there was no need to spray any water.
Sealy said Willis was discovered on the floor in the living room area.
Authorities said a dog that escaped the fire was in good health. He said Fayette/Westmoreland Rescue Response took the dog to a vet to be treated for smoke inhalation.