Etowah County firefighters responded to a report of a house fire occurring on Cambron Street on Wednesday, shortly before 8:30 that morning – Gadsden Fire Chief Stephen Carroll
Carroll went on to say the cause of death appears to have been smoke inhalation.
Authorities have identified the man as Brandon Messer, who had just moved into the home the previous night.
The fire had started in the living room and investigators found gas lanterns inside that room – it’s unknown if Messer had perhaps been using the lanterns for lighting or heat.
ABC 33/40 reports that the coroner and fire marshals believe the blaze started between midnight and 2:00am.
Gadsden firefighters, the City Fire Marshal and the Etowah County Arson Task Force in addition to investigators from the Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office – responded to the scene.
Fire Chief Carroll says the fire is currently considered to be accidental.
(ABC33/40/www.abc3340.com)