By Kelli Wynn
The Dayton Daily News
DAYTON, Ohio — A 29-yearold man who died Wednesday after being pulled from a burning house may have perished trying to save a dog, a Dayton fire official said.
Anthony Gumm, pulled from 148 E. Hillcrest Ave. about 8:30 a.m., died at Good Samaritan Hospital.
The fire may have started in the kitchen area, said Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Payne, but an exact cause remained undetermined.
Fire investigators interviewed people at the scene who said they saw Gumm on the back porch after the fire began, then re-enter the house, Payne said.
Firefighters found Gumm in a second-floor bedroom along with the dog, which was dead.
Gumm was overcome by smoke, Payne said. Firefighters resuscitated him once they got him outside, then took him to the hospital.
Tom Doty, who lives next door, said he heard a loud pop, discovered the fire and called police.
“I was outside with my dog. I saw smoke and then I saw flames out the back,” Doty said, fighting back tears. “I was trying to call 911 real quick and the next thing I know I hear the guy upstairs yelling.”
Payne encourages people not to re-enter a burning structure to retrieve pets.
“Get out. Stay out,” he said. “What we have found out is that animals will find a way out.”
Another resident had left for work prior to the fire.
The house is owned by Robin Naas, who is the general manager of Roosters restaurant at 3501 N. Main St. Naas said she has owned the house for 18 years and rents it to a Roosters employee.
Gumm was the renter’s cousin, she said.
Copyright 2011 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.