Eastbourne Avenue Fire Kills Resident

Baltimore City Fire Department investigators have released the identity of a man killed late Saturday in a house fire in the 6500 block of Eastbourne Avenue.

Bruce Wagner, 51, is thought to have died of severe smoke inhalation and burns, according to a statement from the department.

While fighting the blaze that broke out shortly before midnight on June 16, firefighters carrying out search and rescue efforts found a body.

Wagner's body was removed from the scene by members of the State Medical Examiner's Office and now awaits an autopsy, officials said.

Fire department officials remind all residents of the importance of having working smoke detectors in every home.

“Although this is our second fire death of the year, we continue to emphasize that having a working smoke alarm is your primary source of notification in the presence of a fire," Fire Chief James Clack said in the statement.  "Our goal is to have zero fire deaths in the City of Baltimore, but we can’t reach that goal alone.  Please call 311 and request a free smoke alarm if you don’t have one."

The day after the fire, city firefighters returned to the neighborhood and talked with residents about the death and to share fire prevention and life safety information to help them protect their families and homes from the dangers of fire, according to the statement.