April 6, 2024 8:00 a.m.

A residential structure fire Friday night claimed the life of a Roseburg man.

Fire Chief Tyler Christopherson of the Roseburg Fire Department said just after 7:50 p.m. personnel responded to the fire with a known rescue in the 700 block of West Wharton Street. Christopherson said firefighters arrived on the scene to find a single-family home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the left, front corner of the home with smoke alarms sounding. Upon arrival, a female resident informed fire crews that her husband was still inside the structure near the front of the home.

Christopherson said fire crews entered the residence in rescue mode. Crews were quickly able to locate the 71-year-old male resident near the front of the home and found him to be unconscious. Firefighters quickly removed the victim through the front door of the home. The patient was transported to a nearby hospital, where the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. Crews extinguished the fire and completed the overhaul of the structure.

Christopherson said the residence sustained structural, smoke and water damage. A fire investigator was on the scene and the exact cause of the fire is under investigation. Sixteen firefighters assisted with firefighting operations. RFD was assisted by Douglas County Fire District No. 2, Roseburg Police Department, Avista Utilities, Pacific Power and Umpqua Valley Ambulance.