Careless Smoking Blamed For Fatal Pontiac Fire
PONTIAC (WWJ) - Authorities say careless smoking is to blame for a fire in Pontiac that killed a 67-year-old man.
Investigators say the man was rescued from the burning home on Gingell Street around 11: 40 p.m. Wednesday, but died at the hospital. Neighbors actually kicked in the front door to try to help him.
Fire Marshall Captain Matt Covey said the cause of the fire appears to be careless smoking. He also said the home did not have a working smoke detector.
It was the first fire handled by the Waterford Township firefighters working in Pontiac -- and officials say crews did a "phenomenal" job.
The man's name wasn't immediately released. An investigation is ongoing.
