ELYRIA — A bedridden man could not escape the flames and smoke that filled his 17th Street home Tuesday night, dying before firefighters could force their way past the flames into the home to rescue him.

The body of 69-year-old Carlton L. Glass was found inside the burning building, where he likely died of smoke inhalation, county Corner Paul Matus said.

Elyria firefighters scrambled at 8:49 p.m. to spray jets of water as the flames devoured the house, which is across the street from Bethany Baptist Church.

Ernest Cofield was outside the home on Tuesday night, unaware whether his wife’s uncle was inside.

But then firefighters wheeled a gurney to the front of the house, and he knew.

A few minutes later, when a blast of wind pushed away the smoke, Cofield saw firefighters place a white sheet over a body on the stretcher.

Cofield’s wife collapsed against his chest, sobbing for her lost uncle.

Glass’s wife, Grace, was at work when the fire broke out. She rushed home only to learn that her husband was gone.

Family members held her up and gathered around her to pray for strength, but they had to call paramedics when Grace fainted.

Carlton’s daughter, Renee Henry, said her father had lived in the home for 26 years. Other family members said he had been mostly confined to his bed, but he could use a walker to get around.

Dozens gathered just outside the police line in the frigid temperatures, watching the fire destroy the home and threaten one next door.

One onlooker, Carrie Hopkins, said her family attended church with the Glasses at Call Out Church of the Almighty God on West River Road.

“They’re good people,” she said. “( Carlton) has a good heart and loves kids. He loved his grandkids very, very much.”

Firefighters were still on the scene late Tuesday.

No damage estimate was available.

Contact Jason Hawk at 329-7148 or jhawk@chroniclet.com.

 

---

Print this story
Report an inappropriate comment

---

In order to comment, you must agree to our user agreement and discussion guidelines.

Need help? Email Us.

---