One person has died following an early-morning house fire in Essex

One person has died following an early-morning house fire in Essex

Essex Fire Chief Matt Franks says Page County Communications received a 911 call shortly after 2 a.m. reporting a fire in the 800 block of Omaha Avenue. The caller told dispatchers two occupants were still inside the home and trying to escape.

Firefighters from Essex and Shenandoah responded, along with Shenandoah EMS, the Page County Sheriff’s Office, and Shenandoah Police. A medical helicopter was also requested.

When the first units arrived, Franks says one occupant had already gotten out. The second person was still believed to be inside. Essex and Shenandoah firefighters entered the house and found a man in the dining room.

He was removed from the home and taken by Shenandoah EMS to Shenandoah Medical Center, where he later died after efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

The second occupant declined treatment at the scene and was taken by family members to seek medical care.

An investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was caused by a mechanical failure involving exhaust fans in a first-floor bathroom. Franks says the bathroom and kitchen had smoke and water damage, and the rest of the first floor had smoke damage.

The victim’s name is not being released at this time out of respect for the family and pending autopsy results from the State Medical Examiner’s Office.