A 70-year-old man who had been hospitalized with burns after a South Cumminsville house fire has died, according to the Hamilton County Coroner's Office. The blaze broke out shortly before 5 a.m. last Friday on the second floor of a two-story home, and firefighters later found three dogs dead inside. Two people were in the house when the fire started; one person got out before crews arrived and was taken to the hospital with burn injuries.
Crews Find Heavy Smoke And Pets Lost Inside
Cincinnati fire crews were called to the 3700 block of Llewellyn Avenue and reported smoke pouring from the second floor and attic when they arrived. They quickly confined the fire, according to WLWT. During a search of the home, firefighters discovered three dogs had died. Officials said working smoke detectors were present in the house. One adult had already evacuated before firefighters got there and was transported to the hospital with burn injuries.
Victim Identified As Gilbert Cole, 70
The Hamilton County Coroner's Office identified the victim as 70-year-old Gilbert Cole and said he died from his injuries at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, as reported by FOX19. Capt. Jay Bosse, who was at the scene, told FOX19 that Cole had been burned but managed to evacuate before fire crews arrived.
Smoke Alarms And Pet Safety
Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by roughly half, and many home fire deaths happen where alarms are missing or fail to operate, according to the NFPA. The group advises installing alarms on every level of a home, testing them monthly and replacing units every 10 years. That guidance tracks with officials' note that detectors were present in the Llewellyn Avenue home. Pet owners are also urged to build animals into their escape plans and keep leashes, carriers or collars near exits so pets can be moved quickly in an emergency.
Investigation Continues
Authorities say the cause of the fire remains under investigation and no additional details have been released, according to Local 12. The Cincinnati Fire Department and the Hamilton County Coroner's Office will be the primary sources for updates as the inquiry moves forward.
