68-year-old homeowner killed in Painesville fire

PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio - Painesville Township firefighters confirmed at least one person has died following a house fire at 430 Wetmore Avenue.

First arriving units reported a person possibly still trapped inside the residence. When they arrived, the home was found to be heavily involved with fire. The entire rear (north) portion of the residence was ablaze.

Sheriff's Office units said they quickly learned that the 68-year-old homeowner, Marion Stewart, was said to be inside the home.

This was reported to deputies by the homeowner's 61-year-old brother, Melvin Stewart, who also lives there and  escaped the fire with minor smoke inhalation.

Fires crews managed to bring the majority of the fire under control within approximately 15 minutes.

Fire crews said Marion Stewart was then located, but found deceased in a hallway area leading from a garage/workshop area into the kitchen.

Coroner Lynn Smith responded to the residence along with Lake County's East End Fire Investigation Unit. The home was deemed a total loss and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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