SOUTH BEND — Investigators say a fire that killed an 80-year-old man Monday morning started because of electrical problems. Leonard Czeck was found dead inside his home at 450 S. Walnut St. early Monday morning. A neighbor reported seeing the house on fire and called 911, saying a man was trapped inside. Police officers who arrived on the scene kicked in the door to Czeck’s home, but were unable to enter because of the flames. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, but Czeck was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy showed he died from smoke inhalation. Federico Rodriquez, investigative chief for the South Bend Fire Department, said investigators determined that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction, which sparked the blaze.
Fire department ladders lead up to the second floor of a house in the 400 block of South Walnut Street in South Bend. Firefighters were called there early Monday morning after a passer-by and neighbors called 911 to report the fire.
WSBT-TV Photo/ROBB RESSLER
