UPDATE 3:55PM: Carson City Fire Department Chief Bob Schreihans said the early Monday morning fire that took the life of a 70-year-old man at a Senator Apartments unit on South Roop Street appears to be accidental.
Preliminary findings show possible smoking in bed but that still has not been determined, said Schreihans. The matter remains under investigation.
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An elderly man and his pet cat died in a fire that may have resulted from an explosion inside a Roop Street apartment unit early Monday morning.
Firefighters were called at 12:12 a.m. to the Senator Apartment complex at 505 South Roop Street and quickly extinguished the fire.
According to apartment manager Emily Hale, the deceased man was 70 years old, recently had heart surgery, was using oxygen and was a smoker. She said witnesses reported hearing an explosion.
“He lived here for about a year and a half. He was a very nice man,” said Hale.
Firefighters at the scene requested a coroner respond shortly after the initial call as well as animal control because of the deceased cat.
Investigators were at the scene this morning. We will update when we learn more.
