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.
-
Longer days, more daylight can lift moods as winter fades
As winter fades and spring approaches, many people say the change in seasons brings a shift in mood, even on cloudy days
50 residents displaced after fire at Danville apartment complex
A fire displaced 50 residents at a senior apartment complex in Danville Friday morning, according to the Danville Fire Department.
Driver dead, Frankfort PD chief deputy among two injured in Clinton County crash
One person is dead and two others were injured, including a Frankfort Police Department chief deputy, following a crash on State Road 39 early Friday morning.
Black Church Coalition hosts "We Keep Us Safe" in Martindale Brightwood
Building a better tomorrow was the mission behind the Black Church Coalition's "We Keep Us Safe" event, as residents of Martindale Brightwood seek change in their community.
