Man injured in East Toledo fire

6/30/2007

An elderly man who uses oxygen tanks for breathing was taken to St. Charles Memorial Hospital for smoke inhalation after a fire ravaged his East Toledo home this afternoon, Toledo Fire Department officials said.

Donald Lugabihl was alerted to the fire at 1310 Idaho St. by neighbors shortly after 2 p.m. and was taken to safety before fire crews arrived.

Battalion Chief Brian Byrd said the man fell asleep in bed with a lit cigarette in his hand, starting the fire. Heavy smoke could be seen coming from the home when firefighters arrived. The blaze gutted the 1 1/2-story wood-framed home in a short time.

Fire Lt. Steve Starkloff said the oxygen tanks did not explode, which was a concern, but not a major concern. The fire was under control at 2:19 p.m.

Authorities said one of Mr. Lugabihl s two dogs died in the fire and the other couldn t be found. The damage estimates were not immediately known.

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