Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SYRACUSE - A Syracuse man died in a fire at a residence on Pickwick Drive early Sunday morning.
Brian L. England, 37, of 402 Pickwick Court, Syracuse and formerly of Claypool, was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire.
According to the Syracuse Police Department, England was a friend of the property owners and was staying at the Pickwick Court residence. The property owners were out of town when the fire occurred.
The Syracuse Fire Department received a smoke complaint and a report of a smoke detector going off at 1:17 a.m. Sunday.
A fireman dispatched to investigate the call found a campfire burning next door to the residence at 402 Pickwick Drive.
Upon further investigation, the fireman noticed the windows of the house next door appeared black, indicating the house was filled with smoke.
Fire and EMS crews were dispatched to the residence and a single unresponsive victim was found inside.
The fire was extinguished in the kitchen area of the home.
Although foul play is not suspected and the fire is believed to be accidental, the blaze is still under investigation by the Indiana State Fire Marshall's Office and the Kosciusko County Coroner's Office.
The Syracuse Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Syracuse EMS, Syracuse Police Department, Kosciusko County Coroner's Office and the Indiana State Fire Marshall's Office.
