PAFD: Local man, 74, killed during overnight fire in Port Arthur

Published 1:02 pm Saturday, February 1, 2020

A 74-year-old local man died Saturday as a result of injuries suffered during a major apartment fire in Port Arthur, according to the Port Arthur Fire Department.

Fire Marshal Paul Washburn identified the victim as James Griffin, who was taken by Acadian Ambulance Service to the Medical Center of Southeast Texas following the blaze.

“Mr. Griffin did not survive his injuries,” Washburn said.

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Two adults and a child were able to escape the fire. Authorities said Griffin was trapped in the apartment, and firefighters had to remove him.

The Port Arthur Fire Department responded to the building fire at 1834 Gulfway Drive at 12:04 a.m. Saturday.

The location is an eight-unit apartment building, and firefighters were able to contain the fire to one unit, according to Washburn.

That unit — unit three — sustained heavy fire damage, and it was occupied by three adults and one child.

Fifteen Port Arthur firefighters along with a battalion chief and two fire marshals responded. There were no firefighter injuries.

Port Arthur fire marshals are conducting an investigation into the cause of the residential blaze.