December 29, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2009-76) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-2857/Fax: (251) 208-2861 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org 46-YEAR-OLD MAN DIES IN HOUSE FIRE Mobile Fire-Rescue Department responded to a report of a house fire Tuesday, December 29 located at 1611 Johnston Street. The call was received from a neighbor reporting that someone was possibly still inside. Firefighters arrived at approximately 6:13 a.m. reporting heavy fire and smoke coming from the rear of the one-story, wood frame structure. There was also radiant heat on the exterior of the structure next door. A 2nd Alarm was called to bring in additional manpower to extinguish the fire and help with the search. The fire caused an extensive amount of damage to the middle and rear of the structure and had begun to collapse into itself as well as an attached carport. Firefighter dug through the fallen fire debris and based on information given by neighbors and family located the 46 year old male victim in the bathroom at the rear of the structure. It appeared he was attempting to escape the fire. The victim lived alone and there were no other reports of injuries. Fire Investigators are sifting through the fire debris and attempting to reconstruct the damaged area to determine where in the structure the fire started and what caused the fire to occur. The cause remains under investigation. Engines 2, 9, 16, truck 24, rescue 14 and District Chief Johnny Morris responded as part of the initial response. Engines 8, 11, truck 17, rescue 3 and District Chief Alex Trenier responded as part of the second alarm. The fire is being investigated by the Bureau of Fire Prevention with assistance from Mobile Police I.D. The identity of the victim will be released once confirmation is made from an autopsy performed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Science. ###