ALLIANCE A 40-year-old man who was in a garage when an apparent explosion occurred died Friday, according to the Stark County Coroner's Office.
James M. Phillis was pronounced dead at the scene of the fire at 6:15 p.m., said Harry Campbell, chief investigator with the coroner's office.
Firefighters had responded about 5 p.m. to a report of a garage fully engulfed in flames in the 1200 block of S Liberty Avenue. Heavy smoke was visible when firefighters arrived.
An explosion apparently occurred after Phillis had entered the garage, Campbell said.
The detached garage was near Phillis' home, he said. Campbell said Phillis' death is being investigated as a fire fatality.