The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating this evening’s fire that damaged a Wilmington, Delaware apartment building. One person was found deceased inside a burning apartment, according to Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael Chionchio.
Chionchio said the blaze, reported shortly after 7:30 pm, occurred in the unit block of East Reamer Avenue in the Middleboro Crest Apartments near Maryland Avenue. The Five Points Fire Company arrived to find smoke coming out of a 2nd-floor apartment. Firefighters entered the building and removed a male occupant from an apartment.
New Castle County Paramedics (NCCEMS) arrived on scene to find the man, approximately 50, in the care of emergency medical technicians. He was treated on scene by the Paramedics for thermal burns and smoke inhalation, and was rapidly transported to the Christiana Hospital, in Stanton, in their care, in critical condition, according to NCCEMS Public Information Officer Senior Sergeant Abigail Haas. The man later succumbed to his injuries, according to said Chionchio The Delaware Division of Forensic Science will conduct an autopsy.
A second patient, a firefighter operating at the fire scene was evaluated for a lower extremity injury and was subsequently transported to the Christiana Hospital in stable condition by ambulance.
State fire investigators worked Monday evening to determine the cause of the fire that originated inside a 2nd floor apartment. Four apartment units were contained in the building. Three of the four apartments were occupied when the fire was discovered. No other injuries were reported.
Heavy fire damage was estimated at $300,000. Two occupants have been displaced. This fire remains under investigation.
