Columbus, Ohio – Christopher David Bodnar, a 43-year-old resident of Columbus Southeast, tragically passed away on Friday, October 4, 2024, in a basement fire at his home.
The fire broke out in a townhouse located in the 4000 block of Meadowleigh Way, near the Blendon Woods area.
Despite swift efforts by emergency responders from the Columbus Division of Fire, Bodnar was found unresponsive and was declared dead at approximately 1:20 p.m. at the scene.
The fire, which was contained to one unit in the four-unit complex, has left the community in shock as investigators work to determine the cause of the blaze.
Neighbors and local citizens have expressed their sadness over the unexpected loss.
Majid Zibaie, a local resident who had recently seen Bodnar, shared his thoughts on social media, saying, “Wow really. I see him weekly these days at Costco. So sad to hear.”
Others echoed their disbelief, with Briana Paige commenting, “Damn man I wasn’t expecting to hear this… R.I.P. Christopher David Bodnar.”
Nicole Tee, a former colleague, wrote, “I worked with him at a country club years ago… RIP.”
Authorities are continuing to investigate the fire, looking into potential causes including heating systems and electrical malfunctions.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety in residential settings, as officials plan to issue safety recommendations in the coming days.