An autopsy has been scheduled as authorities investigate the death of a 70-year-old man, who found dead Saturday afternoon in a fire at his apartment.
Firefighters were called to the apartment building near 42nd and Frances Street around 2:45 p.m. to check a fire that was reportedly no longer burning.
They found the man sitting upright in the room where the fire had been. He was dead when they arrived. Investigators said the fire was out by then. It appeared to have started on a couch, ignited by a cigarette. They say the victim had been alerted to the fire but was quickly overcome. A cat also died.
Interviews with neighbors suggested that the fire might have actually happened late Friday night or early Saturday morning. Some reported smelling smoke but there were no 911 calls placed.
The victim’s identity has not been released.