A Fresno Fire Department ladder truck and engine are parked within Fire Station #3 Friday, June 19, 2020 in Fresno.
ERIC PAUL ZAMORA
ezamora@fresnobee.com
The man who was killed in an apartment fire last week has been identified.
Fresno County Coroner’s Office spokesperson Tony Botti identified the victim as James Lowery, 83, of Fresno.
The fire broke out around 6 p.m. last Wednesday at the 2100 block of North First Street, located south of Clinton Avenue.
Firefighters said the fire started in a unit that’s part of a fourplex apartment building. The fire eventually spread to the shared attic space, and people reported that someone may have been trapped inside.
Lowery was found in the room where the fire began and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A total of 63 firefighters responded to the fire, including one who was hospitalized for minor burn injuries.
All four units in the building were damaged, and 15 people were displaced. Firefighters said the cause of the fire was under investigation.
The Fresno Bee
Nick Fenley is a reporter covering education, lawsuits, breaking news and more for The Fresno Bee. He’s originally from the Imperial Valley and has been with The Bee since 2025.