Man, 22, dies in cityfire
A 22-year-old Butler man died early Saturday morning when he apparently attempted to rescue pets from his burning home.
Butler County Deputy Coroner Larry Barr identified the victim as Paul Jarvis Jr. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
City Fire Chief Nick Ban said firefighters responded to the 300-block of First Street shortly after midnight on reports of a fully engulfed fire.
Ban said it is suspected that Jarvis was attempting to rescue animals from the home and was unable to make it back out.
“There is some concern that the young man went back into the house to retrieve his pets,” Ban said.
Ban said Jarvis lived with his father, Paul Jarvis Sr., who was not home at the time of the fire.
Matthias Johnson, a next-door neighbor, said Saturday morning he reported the fire to 911.
Johnson said a friend of the younger Jarvis, who he only knew as Jessie, knocked on his door around midnight seeking a phone.
Johnson said the man told him Jarvis escaped the home but went back inside to rescue his pets.
“It was the most vicious fire I have ever seen,” Johnson said. “My nerves are still shot.”
Johnson said he has known the father and son for nearly a decade.
Ban said a dog and several guinea pigs made it out of the home but more pets were inside.
Ban said his firefighters arrived within a couple minutes of receiving the call but were met with a heavy blaze.
He said the firefighters were unable to make it more than 10 feet into the home due to the intensity of the fire.
“When we arrived we were unsure whether everyone was out of the house,” Ban said. “We made our best effort to get into the house but were not able to get far because of the flames.”
It is believed the fire started in the first floor kitchen, but quickly spread up through the roof.
Ban said his firefighters went to exterior control. It took nearly 30 minutes to control the flames, which were mostly in the back of the home.
Firefighters were able to prevent the blaze from damaging the surrounding homes.
After the fire was knocked down, the firefighters went inside in search of the victim.Ban said Jarvis was found in a second-floor bedroom. He believes the victim died of smoke inhalation.Barr said an autopsy on Jarvis will be done Saturday to determine the official cause of death.Ban said the home was a total loss, estimating the damage to the structure to be $125,000 and an additional $50,000 to the contents.Ban said there was insurance on the home and that the boy's father was staying with family.Ban said the fire did not appear to be suspicious, but the fire marshal was called due to the severity of the incident.The American Red Cross was called to assist the father.Ban said 12 off duty firefighters assisted the city's five unit crew at the scene. The VA Butler Healthcare Fire Department also assisted at the scene.All units were cleared by 4:37 a.m.Pat Ryan, who lived two doors down from the residence, said she's known Paul Jarvis Sr. ever since he moved into the neighborhood.“He shoveled my walk every time it snowed.” she said. “He was a good neighbor.”
