The body of Thomas Haskins was a day away from being cremated – and his closest kin didn’t even know he was dead.FORT WAYNE – A house split into two apartment west of downtown was badly damaged in a fire Thursday morning, and a resident reported that two cats were missing.
Fort Wayne firefighters were called to 118 Mechanic St. about 8:30 a.m., according to a statement issued by the fire department. It said crews found heavy smoke and flames when they arrived.
No residents were inside the house and no injuries were reported, the fire department said.
Investigators determined the cause of the fire was "improperly discarded smoking materials."
The American Red Cross was called to aid the families who lived at the house. It was razed after the blaze, the department said.
