Man who died in Vancouver apartment fire identified

The Clark County medical examiner identified the man who died last week in an east Vancouver apartment fire.

The body of Gavino S. Rodriguez was found early Thursday in the ruins at Sunpointe Apartments, 900 S.E. Park Crest Ave. in the Cascade Highlands neighborhood. Fire broke out about 12:30 a.m. that day and destroyed six apartments in the three-story building in the complex.

According to the medical examiner, the 52-year old Vancouver resident died from smoke inhalation. His death was ruled an accident.

Crews attempted to search for trapped people but weren’t able to reach the top floor. The concrete stairwell had already been destroyed.

Hours after the fire was knocked down, it was safe enough to enter the building. Firefighters found Rodriguez’s body, which was removed at about 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

When the fire broke out, a couple of residents banged on doors to wake neighbors, but no one on the third floor answered.