Fatal Fire in Licking County

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a fatal structure fire in Licking County.

Around 10:00 p.m. Last night the Hebron Fire Department and other units from around Licking County responded to a structure fire on Sycamore Road in Union Township.

Hebron Fire Department Chief Jack Stickradt said when units arrived on the scene, the house was engulfed in flames. Neighbors alerted officers to the possibility of a man being trapped inside. Stickradt said, from the first call they received, crews were on scene ten minutes later. He adds that is right at the average response time to Sycamore Road. Upon arrival, 46-year-old James Tapia was pronounced dead by the Licking County Coroner.

“The on duty crew, when they came up on the house, they could actually hear the smoke alarm going off, and again it was apparent that Mr. Tapia had been dead for some time,” Chief Stickradt said.

Because of the fatality, the investigation has been turned over to the state Fire Marshal. According to the Marshall’s Office, the origin of the fire was the front bedroom where Tapia was discovered lying on the ground. The fire’s cause remains under investigation.