Identity Released of Victim of Fatal DeKalb Fire

DEKALB – The identity of the person who died after an apartment fire last week on West Ridge Drive in DeKalb has been released. The DeKalb County Coroner’s Office announced that 70-year-old Roger O’Brien was located inside an apartment after a call to the 900 Block of West Ridge Drive. Authorities say the preliminary cause of death is believed to be smoke inhalation. No other civilians or firefighters were injured, and no residents were displaced, though the apartment was deemed uninhabitable. Damage was estimated at $50,000. Investigators determined the fire was accidental and caused by careless use of smoking materials.