BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Buffalo firefighters responded to a two-alarm fire on the city's east side Friday morning, a source confirmed to 7 Eyewitness News that a person was killed in the fire.
House fire on Winslow Ave. Buffalo smoke eaters on all sides putting water on the flames. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/logaHsono5
— WKBW Photog -- "BNL" (@PhotogWKBW) January 24, 2020
The fire scene was at 468 Winslow Avenue which is off of Fillmore Avenue near E. Ferry Street.
Buffalo fire officials say the person that died is an elderly male, they believe the fire began on the first floor and spread to the second floor and then the attic. The victim was found on the first floor in the rear of the structure.
A family member of the victim identified him to 7 Eyewitness News as Charles Alexis, age 84. According to the family, Alexis was a fixture of the neighborhood and had lived there since the 1960s but was living alone after his wife died a couple years ago.
Sources say investigators are looking at the possibility that an electrical space heater caused the fire.
Media was just pushed back up the block. Crime scene tape has been put up around the house. @WKBW pic.twitter.com/NpY4OQsE5h
— WKBW Photog -- "BNL" (@PhotogWKBW) January 24, 2020
The Red Cross is assisting people who had damage to their residences from the fire.
Volunteers from @RedCrossWCNY have been called to the scene to provide immediate emergency assistance for two people after this fire in #Buffalo
— Jay Bonafede (@JayBonafede) January 24, 2020
This is a developing story, stay tuned to 7 Eyewitness News for updates.