The fatal fire that ravaged a multi-family home in East Cleveland has claimed the life of 64-year-old Leslie Hiller. According to WKYC, the fire broke out around 4:30 a.m. yesterday, with one resident managing to escape from the bottom floor. Hiller, however, did not survive and was later found deceased amongst the wreckage of the second floor where he resided.
Authorities were called to the scene early yesterday morning after flames were reported at a structure within the 1600 block of Bryn Mawr Road. The fire is believed to have started in one unit and then spread quickly to engulf adjacent living spaces, with 3News detailing that it eventually affected a third house. A neighbor was the first to report the incident, placing the call around 4:30 a.m., as per the East Cleveland Fire Department statement obtained by News 5 Cleveland.
Hiller, who has now been identified as the victim of the tragic incident, was remembered by his nephew, Eli Hiller, as a person who devoted himself to serving others. "My uncle was a good Samaritan. He would dumpster dive for food and collect food for the homeless. Always helping out a lot of friends, he was always advocating for things to change in East Cleveland, and I think it’s terrible we lost such a good person in this city," Eli Hiller reminisced in a statement to Cleveland19 News.
