A Sunday evening house fire in Redlands turned fatal when firefighters found a 76-year-old man in the driveway of his burning home, authorities said. Crews arrived around 5:30 p.m., worked to knock down the flames, and had the man taken to a local hospital, where he later died. No other injuries were reported, and officials say the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In a news release, the Redlands Fire Department said crews were called to a structure fire in the 100 block of Wabash Avenue and found the 76-year-old man, described as a "burn victim," in the driveway while the rear of the home was on fire. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in about 20 minutes, according to the department, before the man was transported to a nearby hospital.
As reported by CBS Los Angeles, the victim has not been publicly identified, and no additional details about the incident were immediately available. The CBS account, written by Austin Turner, cites information from the Redlands Fire Department's news release.
Investigation under way
According to the news release, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Investigators are expected to examine the scene to establish the fire's origin and cause. Fire officials reiterated that no other injuries were reported and said they plan to release updates as more information becomes available.
Older residents face greater risk
Public-safety data show that older adults are disproportionately represented in home fire deaths, a trend researchers tie to mobility challenges and underlying health conditions. The National Fire Protection Association reports that rates of death from home fires climb with age and that a large share of home fire fatalities occur among older age groups.
Neighbors and fire-safety reminders
Officials and safety advocates urge households, especially those with older residents, to keep working smoke alarms, maintain clear escape routes, and have a simple, practiced evacuation plan. The U.S. Fire Administration offers guidance on alarm maintenance and evacuation planning for seniors, and residents are encouraged to follow local fire department channels for community resources and updates.
