A blind man has died after authorities say he accidentally turned on an oven, causing his jacket to catch fire inside his South Carolina apartment.
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Emergency crews found Jerry Martin Ellis, 73, dead at his Anderson home after responding to reports of a fire early on the morning of Sunday, July 19.
According to investigators, Anderson County 911 received a call shortly after 5 a.m. Officers discovered Ellis deceased when first responders arrived at the scene.
Blind Man Dies After Accidental Apartment Fire
A preliminary investigation found that Ellis accidentally switched on his oven before his clothing caught fire.
The Anderson County Coroner's Office ruled that he died from smoke inhalation secondary to thermal burns.
Authorities have not released any additional details about how the incident unfolded, and the investigation remains ongoing.
According to his obituary, Ellis enjoyed spending time outdoors, particularly hiking mountain waterfall trails.
"He loved listening to Creedence Clearwater Revival and Rod Stewart and watching Andy Griffith and Little House on the Prairie," the obituary reads.
"He was an avid Gamecocks fan and loved his poodle Ginger."
Family Remembers Beloved Father and Brother
Ellis came from a large family and was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Ellis and Margie Every Ellis. Along with his brother, Ron Ellis, and sisters Peggy Adams, Judy Bennett, and Theresa Ellis Moore.
He is survived by his sons, Ryan Ellis and Rodney Motes, and his sister, Diane Horne.
Family and friends are expected to gather on Friday, July 24, at The McDougald Funeral Home. Visitation will take place from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., with the funeral service scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
The Anderson County Coroner's Office and Anderson County Fire Department Headquarters continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal fire.
The tragedy also highlights the importance of accessible technology for people who are blind or have low vision.
Many modern ovens now offer voice control, tactile interfaces, or smartphone apps that work with screen readers.
Manufacturers can retrofit existing appliances with audio-output systems that announce settings aloud, helping users operate them more safely and independently.
