YORK COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — A person has died following a residential fire early Sunday morning at a York County apartment complex.
York firefighters confirmed Tuesday that the victim had died, but their identity hasn’t been released. The fire was blamed on discarded smoking materials.
“I knew it was bad because it was pouring smoke from the apartment over there,” said OJ Jackson a resident on Piccadilly Loop.
Just before 8 a.m. Sunday, the York County Fire and Life Safety Department was dispatched to the 200 block of Piccadilly loop.
When they arrived, they found smoke and fire coming from a downstairs apartment.
Jackson lives next door to the apartment where the fire started. He was home with his two younger siblings.
“Yea I was kinda shocked and alarmed at the same time because I didn’t know what was happening. So, the first thing that popped in my head was to get them [siblings] dressed and get out,” he said.
Crews entered the apartment and discovered one occupant who was rescued and transported to Riverside Regional Medical Center in critical condition.
The fire was quickly extinguished and the adjacent apartments were checked to verify that there was no fire extension.
Jackson said he has had little to no interaction with his neighbor but knows one thing for certain, “I’ve seen him a few times. I haven’t really got a chance to talk to him but he seems like a nice guy. Really a family guy, he loves his family,” he said.
He says there are a few things on his mind.
“It was really bad, and he went through an unfortunate circumstance and I’m praying for him and his family,” he said.
His family is also on his mind.
“I’m blessed, I’m thankful and in times like this, we just need each other at this point. So, I’m just trying to spend some family quality time inside watching football,” he said.