William Swincicki,Michelle Terwilliger Obituary, Death; – Two individuals have lost their lives following a residential fire on E 52nd Street, located just south of Fleet Avenue.
The deceased victims were identified on Monday as 57-year-old William Swincicki and 55-year-old Michelle Terwilliger.
According to the Cleveland Fire Department, they arrived at the scene shortly after midnight on Sunday.
Upon arrival, they observed significant smoke and flames emanating from the first floor.
“The fire was on the first floor extending out to the porch,” stated Lieutenant Mike Norman from the Cleveland Fire Department.
Norman reported that one firefighter managed to reach the second-floor bedroom, where they discovered a man and a woman inside.
“They were able to bring them down. They were transported by Cleveland EMS to Metro Hospital,” Norman added.
Regrettably, the couple later succumbed to their injuries.
“There wasn’t a lot of fire in the room, in the bedroom, but there was a lot of heat and smoke. So we had a tragic morning this morning on East 52nd,” Norman remarked.
Jason Kostura, a resident of the same neighborhood, mentioned that his brother was the one who dialed 9-1-1.
He expressed his heartbreak over this tragedy.
“I saw a bunch of smoke and the fire,” Kostura said. “It is terrible that they had to lose their lives. I am just sending prayers to the family.”
The Cleveland Fire Department has determined that the fire originated on the front porch; however, the exact cause remains under investigation.
Firefighters noted that they did not hear any smoke alarms sounding from the residence.
“You want smoke alarms in every bedroom. Anywhere that people sleep. On every floor of the house,” Norman emphasized.
He also mentioned that firefighters will be in the neighborhood over the next few days distributing free smoke alarms to anyone who requests one.
