BLOOMINGTON — A 43-year-old man was found dead in an apartment that caught on fire late Wednesday in the city's southeast end, officials say.
Firefighters found the body of Bobby Coker, Jr. of Bloomington while searching the evacuated apartments at about 9:51 p.m. in the 2900 block of South Leonard Springs Road, according to the Monroe County Coroner's Office.
He was found in the apartment where the fire appeared to have started.
An autopsy conducted Wednesday showed Coker died from asphyxia due to smoke inhalation. His cause of death was ruled accidental.
Fire officials determined the blaze started with a gas range in the kitchen after Coker had been cooking and left it unattended, according to the Coroner's Office.
No foul play is suspected in his death.
Firefighters pulled several cats and dogs from the apartments, and residents were evacuated from the building, according to the Monroe Fire Protection District.
One pet needed to be resuscitated.
Duke Energy and CenterPoint Energy were contacted to shut off utilities to the apartment complex due to safety concerns. The local Red Cross was contacted.
A firefighter was taken to a hospital for a minor injury.
-
IMPD Violence Reduction Teams seize more than 800 guns off Indy streets
This year, nearly 1,200 people have been arrested. More than 625 pounds of narcotics and nearly 4,900 pills have been seized.
IMPD begins traffic enforcement on Meridian Street after resident concerns
IMPD officers are now patrolling Meridian Street after residents raised concerns about the speeding issues they see there all the time.
Final phase of West St. resurfacing brings new lane closures to downtown Indy
Lane closures set to begin September 17 as crews complete resurfacing on West St. from Morris to 11th.
Documentary explores overlooked creative legacy of Indianapolis
WRTV hosted filmmaker Chris M. Wilborn to learn more about his upcoming project that follows three Indianapolis artists: Gary Gee, Israel Solomon, and Johnson Simon.
