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House fire kills Benton man |
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Monday, 05 May 2008 |
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A Benton man died Sunday night in a house fire.  This house on First Street exploded and caught fire late Sunday, killing the resident inside, who was on oxygen. Officials are still investigating the cause of the accident.
Jimmy Lewis Glenn, 61, of Benton died in the house fire shortly before 9:30 Sunday night at 416 S. First St., authorities said.
Glenn’s body was found inside the house after Benton firefighters extinguished the flames, according to a Benton police report.
Police Officer Ronald Davidson said he was on routine patrol when he saw the burning house. The fire department immediately was notified. Davidson said he approached the house to check for occupants when there were three loud explosions from inside.
A large oxygen cylinder was ejected from the house, police said, which prompted Davidson and firefighters to retreat to a safe location. Several minor explosions followed the three large ones, police said.
Residents of nearby houses were evacuated for their safety, police said.
Some nearby residents reported that their houses shook from the explosions.
The fire and police departments are working together to determine what caused the fire and Glenn’s death. Police Sgt. Kevin Russell said foul play is not suspected.
Glenn’s body has been sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory, police said.
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