The man killed in the Springfield townhouse fire has been identified as a 64-year-old Woodbridge man, authorities said today.
Firefighters were called to the 900 block of S. Springfield Avenue sometime around noon for a basement fire in a two and half story structure.
Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire in the basement of the town home.
During the search of the home, crews found 64-year-old Mark Titus who was pronounced dead at the scene.
Based on investigation, Titus was doing cabinetry and varnishing work inside when the fire broke out. Titus instead of calling firefighters, it appears he tried to extinguish the smoke filled basement with a gardening hose. By the time Titus tried to escape he was unsuccessful.
Authorities said the fire apparently started accidentally, but the exact cause is still being investigated by Union County officials.
According to autopsy results, Titus died of smoke inhalation.
Related story: https://www.rlsmedia.com/article/townhouse-fire-kills-one-sprinfield