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Fort Smith crews respond to structure fire; one man found dead

56-year-old David Lee Griffith was found dead inside a structure that caught fire on the 600 block of N 19th St.

FORT SMITH, Arkansas — A man was found dead when crews responded to a structure fire on Monday (May 17) night in Fort Smith.

The fire happened in an abandoned home along North G and 19th Street. 

According to Fort Smith Police, 56-year-old David Lee Griffith was staying in the home when it caught fire. He died. Neighbors say his death saddens them.

“I’m broken up about it, you know," said neighbor Jacob Drake. 

Drake said the entire home was engulfed in flames, with the fire peaking through the roof. 

Billy Heaton lives nearby and works across the street from the home. He says he could see the smoke from the fire half a mile down the road and when he came into the neighborhood. 

“The whole street was covered in firetrucks and ambulances,” said Heaton.

Fire marshals say they received the call around eight and began putting out the flames that started in the back of the three-story home. 

Fire Marshal Ethan Millard said, “The fire was able to run up the wall the back of the wall. From the first to the second, to the third. Most of the fire damage was on the third floor.”

While putting out the fire, a firefighter discovered Griffith’s body on the ground in a fetal position covered by a door. 

“It looked as if have attempted to shield himself using the door. A door that was torn off. But he was not successful with that attempt and was overcome by the fire,” said Millard.

Griffith’s body has been taken to the medical examiner’s office to determine the exact cause of death.

Millard asks residents to alert the Fort Smith Police Department of people staying in abandoned homes to prevent future similar incidents from happening again.

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