One dead, one injured after house fire on Cleveland's east side

CLEVELAND - A teen is dead after an early morning house fire on Cleveland’s east side.

The Cuyahoga County Coroner's office said a fire that broke out on the 1500 block of East 45th early Sunday, killing 19-year-old Michael Gibson, of Cleveland.

Gibson’s brother was also injured.  Emergency responders rushed him to the hospital in critical condition.

Firefighters received the call at about 4:12 a.m. Sunday. Gibson was transported to MetroHealth where he died at about 4:55 a.m.

Unattended food in the kitchen was the likely cause of the fire, according to Cleveland Fire Department spokesman Larry Gray.  Lt. Gray believes one of the brothers was cooking at the time and possibly feel asleep. 

Gray said there was a smoke detector in the home, but its battery was dead.

"I can't put enough emphasis on the smoke detectors.  You have to have working smoke detectors.  They're your first line if defense if something goes wrong in your house," said Gray. 

Neighbors like Alan Miller and his son Benjamin Ashby say they often forget about checking their smoke detectors.  "Working smoke detectors ... we're going to have to consider that ourselves and make sure ours is working," said Miller. 

His son Ashby said, "It's actually ... frightening you know ... a 4 o'clock in-the-morning nobody thinks about a fire or smoke detectors."

At around 6 p.m. Saturday evening, Gary said the second brother is still in critical condition. 

Gray said the two brothers do not live at East 45th street address and were merely visiting an acquaintance at the time.

The Cleveland Fire Department is encouraging everyone to check their smoke detector batteries, which should be tested once a month.  If you cannot afford a smoke detector, the American Red Cross of Greater Cleveland will donate and install free smoke detectors for you.  All you have to do is call "Operation Save a Life" at: (216) 361-5535.