Man dies, wife and children survive Brookfield fire

Staff report

BROOKFIELD

A family’s Fourth of July celebration ended with tragedy Sunday morning.

A fire killed a 52-year-old man in the basement of his home at 8136 Ohio St. SW early Sunday, but his wife and two small children were uninjured.

The fire was reported at 6:49 a.m. by a neighbor who reported seeing smoke coming out of the basement after a basement window blew out, according to Trumbull County 911.

The neighbor told 911 that there were probably two small children and two adults in the house, and she was banging on the door but there was no answer.

The neighbor added that the family was there late the night before, so she believed the family probably was at home.

Firefighters from Brookfield, Hartford, Hubbard and Mercer County, Pa., were dispatched to the area five minutes after the call.

Heavy smoke was coming from the residence when firefighters arrived.

It was then that they learned that the mother and two children were camping outside the home celebrating the holiday.

The fire was under control at 7 a.m. with firefighters clearing the scene at 10:12 a.m.

The fire started in the basement where firefighters found the deceased man and contacted the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Trumbull County Coroner’s Office also was called to investigate.

The damage to the home was minimal, according to Vindicator broadcast partner 21 WFMJ-TV.

The American Red Cross was called to assist the woman and children. The identity of the victim will not be released until all family members have been notified, officials said.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.