WEST WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - A 41-year-old man killed in a house fire in Rhode Island early Wednesday died trying to save his uncle, fire officials say.
Fire crews responded to the West Warwick home just after 3 a.m., Fire Chief Jeffrey Varone said.
The victim could have escaped the building on his own, but went to wake up his uncle first, the chief said.
“The uncle was able to get out a window, unfortunately the individual who originally found the fire succumbed,” the chief told WPRI-TV at the scene.
“It was a heroic act for him to go and save his uncle rather than to just save himself and get out,” Varone said later.
The uncle was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Two firefighters and two police officers were also hurt and were treated for smoke inhalation and burns.
No names were released.
The fire was ruled an accident caused by clothes left too close to a gas heater, according to state Fire Marshal Tim McLaughlin. The home apparently did not have smoke detectors, he said.
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