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Elyria: 2 separate apartment fires leave 2 dead, another injured

The victim at the first fire was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire, while the second died at UH Elyria. They were 53 and 70 years old, respectively.

ELYRIA, Ohio — Fires at two different Elyria apartment complexes claimed the lives of two men and injured another person Sunday.

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At approximately 2:45 a.m., Elyria firefighters responded to reports of a fire at building B of the Sherwood Forest Apartments on Georgetown Avenue. Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy smoke and an active fire coming from a top floor apartment. They immediately began efforts to help evacuate tenants and search for those that needed help exiting the building safely.

During the search, 64-year-old Michael Harris was found unresponsive in a bedroom. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Prior to the arrival of fire crews, an apartment occupant had jumped from a top floor window of the apartment in which the fire had started. He sustained injuries as a result of the jump and were transported to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center. The injured occupant was later identified as Harris' 38-year-old son, Marcus Harris.

12 apartments were ruled uninhabitable as a result of the fire with many of the apartments sustaining what is being described as "heavy heat/smoke damage" and water damage.

The second fire took place just before 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the Meadows on Brunswick Drive. Heavy fire and smoke were seen coming out of a top floor apartment.

During rescue efforts, a 70-year-old man was found unresponsive in a bedroom in once of the apartments. Life support was initiated by firefighters and medics and was transported to UH Elyria, but died shortly after arrival.

The victims names have not been released at this time. The Red Cross is providing emergency lodging to those who are unable to return to their homes.

The incidents both remain under investigation.

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