Disabled Man Killed in Overnight Fire

Posted: May 17, 2010 3:54 PM by Jim Hummel
Updated: May 17, 2010 3:54 PM

An overnight fire has claimed the life of a disabled man in Sunset. Family members tell KATC that 74 year old Walter Adams, more affectionately known as "Mr. Lection," did not survive the blaze.

"He was nice, I remember him working at Evangeline Maid Bread for many years, he was retired, he was a very nice man," said Adams' cousin Cherie Adams.

Firefighters were called to Adams' home on W. Martin Luther King Drive in Sunset just before midnight Saturday. A neighbor who tried to save Lection said flames were contained to the kitchen, and the home was filled with smoke.

The news of his death comes as a shock to residents up and down the street, many of whom would help their disabled neighbor with day-to-day tasks.

"I love him, he was like my grandpa, and I just [didn't] want this to happen to him," said 16 year old Dylan Auzenne, who would make a daily trip from Adams' mailbox to the front door to bring the wheelchair-bound man his mail.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Jim Hummel