2 victims identified in fatal midtown Columbus fire. Coroner releases names.
Two people died in an overnight fire in Columbus, the coroner’s office said Saturday.
Donald Lechowicz, 42, was pronounced dead at 6:16 a.m., after the Saturday morning fire at Midtown Park Apartments, 1500 12th St., Muscogee County coroner Buddy Bryan told the Ledger-Enquirer.
Herman McCikens, 65, who lived in an adjoining apartment, was pronounced dead at 10:15 a.m., Bryan said.
Autopsies will be performed on both bodies, Bryan said.
The Southwest Georgia chapter of the American Red Cross gave money to 16 families - a total of 27 individuals - for immediate needs overnight, such as shelter, medication and eyeglasses, executive director Adelaide Kirk told the L-E. Three more families were helped Saturday morning, she said.
The L-E hasn’t yet reached Columbus Fire and EMS officials or the apartment complex management for comment, but Kirk said 30 of the 31 units were affected by the fire and, to her knowledge, the fatalities are the only casualties.
“My understanding from the fire department is that they’re not granting access back into the apartments for anyone at least until tomorrow,” Kirk said. “But if something like medication is accessible, the fire department will try to facilitate that.”
Although residents often want to donate clothing and food after devastating fires, Kirk said the best way to help is to donate money so the proper assistance can be provided for each family.
Donations can be made online at redcross.org or by mailing a check to the chapter’s office at 6501 Veterans Parkway, Suite 3B Columbus, GA, 31909.
This story was originally published August 1, 2020 at 1:22 PM.
