BEDFORD — A 63-year-old Bedford man tragically lost his life on Tuesday while trying to escape a devastating fire that consumed his river cabin on East Palestine Lane.
Firefighters from Shawswick and Marion Township responded to the blaze at 4:12 p.m. Upon arrival, they found the cabin fully engulfed in flames, with smoke and fire extending to the deck that wrapped around the structure.
The victim, Rick Elkins, an amputee, was discovered lying on the outside steps of the cabin. Firefighters believe Elkins was attempting to flee when he fell down the stairs.
“He suffered severe burns and died at the scene,” said Shawswick Volunteer Fire Chief Bob Brown. “We found his wheelchair at the top of the stairs and Mr. Elkins lying about 10 to 15 feet from safety. Unfortunately, the fire was so intense that he did not survive.”
Chief Brown added that the fire’s heat was so extreme that it caused the cabin to collapse into the basement. The fire’s origin is under investigation, though officials suspect it may have started in the kitchen area.
Fire crews faced challenges accessing the site due to its remote location on a narrow, one-lane road. Tankers were brought in to supply water, and firefighters worked tirelessly to control the inferno.
The State Fire Marshal has joined the investigation, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. Firefighters remained on the scene until 8:00 p.m.
Chief Brown expressed condolences to the family and praised the firefighters’ efforts, noting that despite the challenging conditions, “we handled it pretty well.”
